Show Jumping, which is also called stadium jumping, open jumping, or jumpers, is one of the English riding equestrian events. In show jumping, riders on horseback attempt to jump cleanly through sets of obstacles within a specific time. The obstacles include verticals, spreads, and double and triple combinations, usually with many turns and changes of direction.
The goal in show jumping is to jump cleanly through sets of obstacles within a specific time. Time faults are judged for not completing the obstacles in time. Faults for show jumpers include knockdowns, and blatant disobedience. A rider may be disqualified if their horse refuses to participate. The horses are only allowed a limited number of refusals. This may also lead the rider to not complete the whole course within the time limit.
The rider’s attire include a helmet with a harness, tall boots (preferably black), and spurs, but it’s optional. Some jumping competitions include: the grand prix (the highest level of competition), speed derby, puissance, six-bar, gambler’s choice, Calcutta, maiden, novice and limit, match race, touch class, and faults converted.
Similar Sports
- Eventing — riders compete in three types of races, dressage, cross-country and show jumping, in a single competition.
- Steeplechase — a horse racing sport in which competitors on horsebacks race on a long-distance course that has several types of obstacles.
- Cross-Country Equestrian — horse riders are required to jump over 30 to 40 obstacles within a fixed time, incurring penalties for exceeding the allocated time or if a horse refuses to clear an obstacle.
- Dressage - riders and horses perform from memory a series of predetermined events.
Related Pages
- Other Equestrian Sports
- List of all sports involving horses
- More about the sport of Equestrian
- Equestrian at the Olympics
- Show jumping demonstration at the Commonwealth Games
- Discontinued Equestrian Events from the Olympics — such as horse long and high jump.
- About the unusual sport of Rabbit Show Jumping
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports