MECTA RULES  -  2008

In general, MeCTA events are run under USEA Rules, particularly those pertaining to Safety and the welfare of the horse.  If you have any questions, please ask the Technical Advisors and/or Organizers of the events you will be riding in!    It is strongly recommended that you get and read a copy of the 2007 USEF RULES FOR EVENTING.  This may be purchased for approx $7 from the US Eventing Assoc. Membership Dept, 525 Old Waterford Rd. NW, Leesburg, VA 20176 (203-779-0440)  e-mail: info@useventing.com  or view the rules at www.useventing.com

NOTE: The USEA has new rules that require Elimination of the rider after ONE fall in Stadium. MeCTA has chosen to retain the TWO-fall rule in the interest of allowing people more opportunity to learn.  HOWEVER, judges retain the right to Eliminate anyone who they deem to be dangerous to themselves or anyone else at the competition. Their decision may not be appealed.

NOTE: FOR STADIUM ROUNDS THAT ARE UN-TIMED, penalty points will be awarded as follows:

Refusal – 14 points; Fall of Rider – 38 points; Rail down – 4 points.

In addition to USEA defined levels, MeCTA has formally identified a lower division:  Elementary.  Organizers may have other divisions, but MeCTA recognizes only the levels listed below for Year-End Awards and rule-enforcement.

ELEMENTARY:

• DRESSAGE:  MeCTA 2000 Elementary, or USEF 2006 Beginner Novice Eventing Test A.
  

• CROSS-COUNTRY:  8-12 jumping efforts.  Maximum height 2', 1200-1800m in length at a speed of 250-350 mpm, but should not be timed.  Very simple, no combinations, all true ground lines.
  

• STADIUM:  8-12 jumping efforts, all with true ground lines.  There may be one combination, set at a standard distance (24' or 33').  The rounds should not be timed, but a speed of 250 mpm may be expected.
  

BEGINNER NOVICE:

• DRESSAGE:  2006 USEF Beginner Novice Eventing Test A or B.
  

• CROSS-COUNTRY:  14-18 jumping efforts, maximum height 2' 7", 1400-2000m in length at a speed of 300-350 mpm.  Fences should be straightforward, with true ground lines and no combinations. Refer to USEF/USEA Rules for Eventing for more information.
  

• STADIUM:  9-11 jumping efforts, all with true ground lines, at a speed of 300 mpm.  There may be one combination set at a standard distance (33').
  

NOVICE:

• DRESSAGE:  2006 USEF Novice Eventing Test A or B.
  

• CROSS-COUNTRY:  16-20 jumping efforts, maximum height 2'11", 1600-2000m in length at a speed of 350-400 mpm.  Straightforward water crossings and simple solid obstacles with true ground lines are acceptable.  Refer to USEF/USEA Rules for Eventing for more information.
  

• STADIUM:  9-11 jumping efforts, all with true ground lines, at a speed of 320 mpm.  There should be one combination of two jumping efforts included.
  

TRAINING:

• DRESSAGE:  2006 USEF Training Eventing Test A or B.
  

• CROSS-COUNTRY:  20-24 jumping efforts, maximum height 3'3", 2000-2400m in length at a speed of 420-470 mpm.  Fences may reflect more technical difficulty than Novice, but not too demanding.  More substantial jumping effort involving water- may be either into or out of water, but not both.  Refer to USEF/USEA Rules for Eventing for more information.
  

• STADIUM:  10-12 jumping efforts at a speed of 325 mpm.  There must be two doubles or a double and a triple combination.  May not include obstacles with false ground lines.
  

GENERAL: 

All obstacles should be inviting, solid, non-trappy, simple, and with true ground lines.  The object is not to eliminate anyone, but to get them around safely and happily.  One fall of the horse (shoulders and hips on the ground) or two falls of the rider shall result in elimination (this differs from USEA where one fall of rider = E).  Every effort should be made to avoid technical eliminations, though everyone should be made aware of any infractions of the rules.

SAFETY VIOLATIONS WILL NOT BE IGNORED!!

Anyone the Ground Jury deems as presenting a hazard to themselves or anyone else at the competition may be eliminated in the interest of safety.

MECTA tie-breaking policy:  USEA events are all timed and ties are often broken based on proximity to Optimum Time.  Since most MECTA events are not timed, we have instituted these policies for use at affiliated events:

• In case of a tie:  1) the best XC score shall win.
  

• If a tie remains:  2) the time closest to Optimum Time shall win.
  

• If XC is not timed:  2a) the best dressage score shall win.
  

• If a tie remains:  2b) the best Collective Marks in dressage shall win.
  

• If a tie remains:  2c) it may be broken with a coin toss.
  

This page was last updated: February 27, 2008

General Rules for MeCTA events