Show jumping: faults, time and the two scoring tables.

Which rulebook this page uses

The FEI's own Jumping Rules files refused our requests. The FEI text on this page was read through Equestrian Australia's "National Jumping Rules, effective 1 January 2026" (version as at 15 June 2026), which reproduces the FEI rules and marks Equestrian Australia's own rules separately. That document cites the FEI Jumping Rules, 28th edition, effective 1 January 2022 with updates effective 1 January 2026, alongside the FEI General Regulations (24th edition, updated 1 January 2026) and the FEI Veterinary Regulations (15th edition 2023, effective 1 January 2026). Article numbers below are as they appear there.

HQ Magazine (5 February 2026) reports that the FEI restructured its Jumping Rules for clarity for 2026, with the changes approved by the General Assembly with 96% support and in force from 1 January 2026.

The basic idea

The Olympic Federation of Ireland describes a jumping round as a course of around 15 obstacles to be completed inside a set time, with a clear round as the aim. Under FEI Jumping Rules Art 216.1, as reproduced in Equestrian Australia's 2026 rules, every competition is scored under one of two tables: Table A or Table C.

Table A: penalties

Art 217.1.1 sets out the Table A penalties:

Disobedience penalties add up across the whole round, not only at the same obstacle (Art 217.1.5). Table A competitions may be run against the clock or not against the clock, and ties on penalties may be split on time if the schedule says so (Arts 217.1.3 and 217.1.4).

Equestrian Australia's own national rule differs at lower heights: in its competitions of 1.15 m and under, a second disobedience costs 8 penalties and the third eliminates.

The 2022 time-fault change

HorseSport.com, reporting on the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) on 9 May 2022, says time faults in Table A changed on 1 January 2022 to one penalty for each second, or part of a second, over the time allowed. Four seconds over therefore costs the same as a fence down. A search summary of HorseSport.com describes the earlier rule as one fault per four seconds or part of four seconds; we did not see that in a primary text, so it is unconfirmed.

Table C: faults converted to seconds

Table C is the speed table. Under Art 217.2.1, faults are turned into seconds added to the round time:

• A knock-down adds four seconds outdoors; it adds three seconds indoors, in the second phase of two-phase competitions and in Table C jump-offs.
• A first disobedience adds nothing, unless it knocks down or displaces an obstacle, in which case it adds six seconds.
• A second disobedience in competitions over 1.15 m eliminates, and so does any fall.

Table C has no time allowed, but it does have a time limit: three minutes for courses of 600 m or more and two minutes for shorter courses. Exceeding it eliminates (Arts 217.2.3 and 217.2.4).

Jump-offs

Equestrian Australia describes a jump-off as a shorter round between those tied for first place. The fewest penalties wins, and time decides any remaining ties. Under Art 218.1.6, a Table A jump-off may be judged under Table C if the schedule says so.

How jumping in eventing differs

Eventing has its own jumping test with its own rule. Under the FEI Eventing Rules 2026 (Art 553.2), as reproduced by Equestrian Australia, time over the time allowed costs 0.4 penalties per commenced second, against one penalty per second in Table A jumping competitions. The eventing page has the full table.

Star levels and the Nations Cup

International jumping shows are coded CSI, and official international shows CSIO. Under Art 200.4.1 they are divided into five star levels, from 1* to 5*, with 5* the highest, according to obstacle heights, technical challenge and other requirements; the FEI decides which level's requirements apply.

The Nations Cup is the official international team competition (Art 226.1). The rule says it:

• may only be held at a CSIO;
• needs at least three national federations taking part to be recognised;
• is the only competition in which official teams represent their federations;
• runs over two rounds on the same course on the same day;
• is judged under Table A, with both rounds against the clock.

Equestrian Australia's undated jumping page says the FEI Jumping World Cup runs 13 leagues across all continents, with the top riders from each league invited to the Final.

Changes for 2026

HQ Magazine (5 February 2026) reports these FEI jumping changes for 2026:

• Blood rule (Art 259): blood caused by tack, equipment or the athlete's action brings a recorded warning instead of automatic elimination in certain cases, and two warnings in 12 months bring a one-month suspension and a fine. The Ground Jury and the Veterinary Delegate must assess the horse's fitness in every blood case. Blood from natural causes, such as a bitten tongue or a nosebleed, may be wiped without penalty if the horse is fit. The whips, blood and nosebands page covers the welfare debate around these rules.
• Young horses: classes for five-year-olds must be Table A, not against the clock, and Annex II sets maximum heights of 1.20 m for five-year-olds, 1.30 m for six-year-olds and 1.40 m for seven-year-olds.
• Phones: mobile phones and earphones are banned in the warm-up during competition.
• Tack: tack rules move to the central FEI Tack, Equipment and Dress Database, with jumping given until 1 January 2027.

A search summary of HorseSport.com also reports that the FEI amended Article 241 so that officials may eliminate a horse or athlete in the best interest of the wellbeing or safety of the horse or athlete, replacing wording about the principles of horse welfare after riders' groups objected. We could not confirm when that change took effect.

Minimum horse ages for each jumping level are on the levels and classes page, and the rider age rules are on the rider ages and categories page.