8. The regularity of the paces is fundamental to dressage.

Jumping

1. A jumping competition is one in which the combination of horse and competitor is tested under various conditions over a course of obstacles. It is a test intended to demonstrate the horse's freedom, its energy, its skill, its speed and its obedience in jumping and the competitor's horsemanship.

2. If a competitor makes certain faults such as knocking down an obstacle, refusing, exceeding the time allowed, etc. he incurs penalties. The winner of the competition is the competitor who incurs the least number of penalties, completes the course in the fastest time or gains the highest number of points, depending on the type of competition.

3. It is not intended to standardise jumping competitions, since variety provides a precious element of interest for competitors and spectators alike, which must be preserved at all costs.

4. Other competitions or variations to the special competitions may be authorised by the Secretary General in consultation with the Chairman of the Jumping Committee, provided their conditions comply with the requirements laid down in the General Regulations and the Rules for Jumping Events. Detailed conditions of each competition must be set out clearly in the schedule and in the programme of the event. Organisers are not permitted to organise show competitions unless the FEI has approved the conditions according to which these classes may be run. Organisers wishing to organise events or international competitions for five-year-old horses must apply for permission to the FEI through their NF. The conditions according to which these competitions may be run must be approved by the FEI.

5. Competitions must be fair for all competitors. It is, therefore, essential that strict and detailed rules are established to regulate them. For this reason the rules, which follow must be respected, except when the FEI has authorised certain relaxations which are justified by local conditions.

6. The use of similar sounding words in English and in French, which do not have exactly the same meaning can easily cause confusion.

Eventing

Eventing constitutes the most complete combined competition, demanding of the competitor considerable experience in all branches of equitation and a precise knowledge of his horse's ability, and of the horse a degree of general competence, resulting from intelligent and rational training.

In the Dressage Test, each competitor's good marks awarded by the judges are converted into penalty points. They are recorded for inclusion in the final classification and published.

In the Cross-Country Test, each competitor's penalties for faults at obstacles are added to the penalties that he may have incurred for excess time on Cross country or any of the four phases. They are recorded for inclusion in the final classification and published.

In the Jumping Test, each competitor's penalties for faults at obstacles are added to the penalties that he may have incurred for excess time. They are recorded for inclusion in the final classification and published.

List of events

On the programme of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, Beijing 2008

Equestrian / Dressage:

(1) individual Mixed

(2) team Mixed

Equestrian / Eventing:

(1) individual Mixed

(2) team Mixed

Equestrian / Jumping:

(1) individual Mixed

(2) team Mixed

Time and venues

The equestrian events of the 29th Olympic Games will be held in Hong Kong, China from August 9-20. The jumping and dressage events will be held at the main venue in Shatin and the cross country competition will be held at Beas River.