Eventing Qualifications

Please contact Alison Lloyd at [email protected] regarding questions about qualifications.

Which FEI level am I qualified for? Refer to USEF Appendix 2 and FEI Eventing Chapter 5 for Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs). Also see the summary chart below.

Which National level am I qualified for? Refer to Appendix 2 to compare the Minimum Eligibility Requirements in your competition record against the requirements.

What is my FEI category? FEI Athlete Categorization - Check your categorization by selecting 'USA' in the NF drop-down box and searching for your name.

Rulebooks: Many qualification questions can be answered by searching the USEF or FEI Rulebooks and other resources linked below.

Tip: Search the rulebooks by using Control + F (or Command + F on a Mac) and typing in keywords. On mobile, click the Share icon and scroll down to 'Find on Page' to type in keywords.

Definition: Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs)

Maximum Penalty Points	Dressage	XC (at obstacles)	XC (time penalties)	Jumping (at obstacles)
National Horse Trials	45	0 (unless specified otherwise)	30	16
FEI 1/2/3/4	45	0*	30	16
FEI 5*	45	0*	40	16

*For FEI Competitions, where there is more than one FEI requirement, one may include 20 Cross-Country Jump Penalties. A clear round at obstacles (activating a maximum of one frangible device will maintain the MER result on Cross Country)

QUALIFYING DEADLINES

Qualifications must have been achieved at least 10 days prior to Cross-Country day at the competition if the MER is achieved at a Horse Trial or CCI-S or at least 24 days if the MER is achieved at a CCI-L.
At least one MER must be achieved in the 12 month period prior to the competition.

An MER pertains to both USEF and FEI Requirements in the table below

All FEI Requirements must be achieved as a combination, unless otherwise stated.

CCI1*

	ATHLETE CATEGORY	FEI REQUIREMENTS	USEF REQUIREMENTS
CCI1*	Uncategorized		1 Modified or higher
CCI1*	A-B-C-D FEI Athletes		There are no requirements for Categorized riders at a CCI1*

CCI2*-S

	ATHLETE CATEGORY	FEI REQUIREMENTS	USEF REQUIREMENTS
*CCI2-S**	Uncategorized		1 Preliminary or higher
*CCI2-S**	A-B-C-D FEI athletes		There are no requirements for Categorized riders at a CCI2*-S

CCI2*-L

	ATHLETE CATEGORY	FEI REQUIREMENTS	USEF REQUIREMENTS
*CCI2-L**	Uncategorized		3 Preliminary or higher + 1 Preliminary or higher with no more than 20 Jumping Penalties at obstacles on the Cross Country test.
*CCI2-L**	A-B-C-D FEI athletes		3 Preliminary or higher + 1 Preliminary or higher with no more than 20 Jumping Penalties at obstacles on the Cross Country test.

CCI3*-S

	ATHLETE CATEGORY	FEI REQUIREMENTS	USEF REQUIREMENTS
*CCI3-S**	Uncategorized	1 CCI2*-S	2 Preliminary or higher + 1 Preliminary or higher with no more than 20 Jumping Penalties at obstacles on the Cross Country test + 1 Intermediate or higher
*CCI3-S**	A-B-C-D FEI athletes		3 Preliminary or higher + 1 Preliminary or higher with no more than 20 Jumping Penalties at obstacles on the Cross Country test.

CCI3*-L

	ATHLETE CATEGORY	FEI REQUIREMENTS	USEF REQUIREMENTS
*CCI3-L**	Uncategorized	(1 CCI2-L or 1 CCI3-S) + 2 CCI3*-S	2 Intermediate or higher
*CCI3-L**	A-B-C-D FEI athletes	1 CCI2-L or 1 CCI3-S (A-B-C-horse only)	2 Intermediate or higher

CCI4*-S

	ATHLETE CATEGORY	FEI REQUIREMENTS	USEF REQUIREMENTS
*CCI4-S**	Uncategorized C-D FEI athletes	3 CCI3*-S	2 Intermediate or higher
*CCI4-S**	A-B FEI athletes	1 CCI3*S (horse only)	2 Intermediate or higher

CCI4*-L

	ATHLETE CATEGORY	FEI REQUIREMENTS	USEF REQUIREMENTS
*CCI4-L**	Uncategorized C-D FEI athletes	2 CCI3-L + 1 CCI4-S or 1 CCI3-L + 2 CCI4-S	1 Advanced or higher
*CCI4-L**	A-B FEI athletes	1 CCI3*-L (horse only)	1 CCI4*-S or higher with no more than 20 Jumping Penalties at obstacles on the Cross Country test

CCI5*-L

	ATHLETE CATEGORY	FEI REQUIREMENTS	USEF REQUIREMENTS
*CCI5-L**	Uncategorized C-D FEI athletes	2 CCI4-L+ 3 CCI4-S	The competitor and horse must have met the minimum eligibility requirements of the FEI
*CCI5-L**	B FEI athletes	1 CCI4-L + 3 CCI4-S	The competitor and horse must have met the minimum eligibility requirements of the FEI
*CCI5-L**	A FEI athletes- with Horse which has not achieved an MER at a CCI5*-L	1 CCI 4*-L (as a combination)	1 Advanced or higher
*CCI5-L**	A FEI athletes- with Horse which has achieved an MER at a CCI5*-L	2 CCI 4*-S (as a combination)	1 Advanced or higher

2025 Appendix 2 Summary Table A summary of the FEI and USEF Minimum Eligibility Requirements for FEI Events. Always defer to the most recent version of the Rulebook for complete rules.	Download
FEI Entry Guide This checklist guides the user through the steps of entering FEI Eventing Competitions in the U.S. Entries may be completed by the athlete, owner, or trainer.	Download
Eventing Categorized Athletes FEI Eventing Categorized Athletes	Go To Page

Additional Searches

Eventing Qualifications

Forms and Publications

2025 Appendix 2 Summary Table

FEI Entry Guide

Eventing Categorized Athletes