Which of the following is NOT an example of a three-point penalty?

The correct response identifies a situation that does not carry a three-point penalty in equestrian scoring.

When assessing penalties in equestrian events, particularly in Western riding or similar disciplines, a three-point penalty typically applies to significant faults in performance. For instance, a break of gait at the jog for one stride and failure to complete the pattern are both serious mistakes that can affect a rider’s score substantially, thereby warranting a three-point deduction.

However, a break of gait at the walk or jog for more than two strides is a clear violation that specifically incurs a more severe penalty due to its duration. Thus, this infraction leads to a higher scoring penalty than merely losing a stirrup, which is often categorized as a less critical mistake, typically resulting in a one-point deduction.

The loss of a stirrup is viewed as a minor infractions in most performance evaluations and does not equate to the same level of impact on the overall ride quality, which is why it is not considered a three-point penalty as well. In contrast, a break of gait for more than two strides is recognized as an example of a significant error, warranting a more serious penalty.

Understanding these distinctions helps riders gauge how their performances will be scored in competitions, as