Editing Eventing (section)

==== Types of obstacles ====
{{Main|Cross-country equestrianism|Indoor cross-country|Horse jumping obstacles}}

[[Image:3DE combinaison direct way.svg|right|thumb|200px|The "direct route" when jumping cross-country]]
[[Image:3DE combinaison optional way.svg|right|thumb|200px|If the rider has a refusal at the direct route, he may jump the other B element without additional penalty than incurred for the refusal.]] 
A combination is always considered one obstacle, and the various elements within the combination are lettered "A", "B", "C", and so on. In cross-country, the rider need only retake the element they refused rather than the whole complex. So a refusal at element B does not require them to jump A again. However, they have the option of retaking the previous elements if they wish. For example, in a bounce type obstacle it may be physically impossible to approach B without first clearing A. Yet for some in and outs, you can go to B and not have to rejump A.

Many cross-country obstacles have several possible routes to take (for example, at obstacle 5 there may be 2 A, 2 B, and 2 C elements), with one route usually being faster but requiring a more skillful ride or more physical effort from the horse. A rider may take any of the possible routes as long as they pass over each letter once. Additionally, after a refusal, they may jump a different obstacle of the same letter in place of the original.

A refusal at A is a first refusal, and would receive 20 penalties. Whether the rider retakes A or not, a subsequent refusal at B is a second refusal and so on. Three refusals at any one obstacle results in elimination, as does 4 refusals on the entire course.