[groom]

Pardon me if this has been discussed, but was there a modification (proposed) of The One Fall rule at the Convention?

[scubed]

Yes, the USEA folks will be sending forward to the USEF committee the modification,

EV141 Cross Country Scoring [CHAPTER EV-3 Rules for Horse Trials] change to read:
1. b) Falls –
(1) First fall of competitor Elimination (RF) (Beginner Novice, Novice and Training) 65 Penalties
(2) First fall of horse Mandatory retirement. Second fall of competitor (Beginner Novice, Novice and Training) Elimination (RF)
(3) First fall of competitor (Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced) Elimination (RF)
(4) First fall of horse Mandatory Retirement
*to facilitate accurate administration of EV105.3 (Loss of Establishment) Competitor Falls
will be denoted as “RF” on official score sheets and results.

and

Intent of Proposal:
The USEA feels that under certain defined circumstances, competitors at the educational lower levels of competition may be
allowed to cointinue after one fall in an effort to allow the competitor to gain experience in the cross-country phase of competition.

[Desert Topaz]

To be noted, this will not change the rule for dressage or stadium. If you fall off there you're still eliminated.

[Janet]

The version going forward to USEF was actually modified beyond what scubed posted.

I may not have the precise words, but this is the meaning (as of the Sunday morning BoG meeting).

EV141 Cross Country Scoring [CHAPTER EV-3 Rules for Horse Trials] change to read:
1. b) Falls –
(1) First fall of competitor Elimination (RF) (Beginner Novice and Novice), where the rider lands on his/her feet, without apparent injury 65 Penalties
(2) First fall of horse Mandatory retirement. Second fall of competitor (Beginner Novice and Novice) Elimination (RF)
(3) First fall of competitor (Training, Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced) Elimination (RF)
(4) First fall of horse Mandatory Retirement
*to facilitate accurate administration of EV105.3 (Loss of Establishment) Competitor Falls
will be denoted as “RF” on official score sheets and results.

The changes are

• You have to land on your feet, without apparent injury
• Only applies to BN and N, NOT Training. The reason for this is that there are only a very small number ("insignificant") of head injuries at BN and N. The number of head injuries goes up notiecably at Training, and then even more at the higher levels. Malcolm said he thought the USEF Safety Committee would reject it if Training were included.

The "political" agreement is that, if the rule change proposal is disapproved by USEF Safety, it will be withdrawn.