Show Jumping
Show jumping is also known as “stadium jumping”, “open jumping”, or simply “jumping”. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics. Jumping classes may be governed by various national horse show sanctioning organizations, such as Equestrian Federation of Pakistan in Pakistan, United States Equestrian Federation in the USA or the British Showjumping Association in Great Britain. International competitions are governed by the rules of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.
Riders are required to guide their mount over a course of up to 14 obstacles that are laid out inside an earth covered arena. Obstacles can include triple bars, parallel rails, water jumps and simulated stone walls. Jumping tests the horse’s leaping ability and the rider’s skill to urge the horse over challenging obstacles.
Show jumping, competitive equestrian event in which horse and rider are required to jump, usually within a time limit, a series of obstacles that have been designed for a particular show. If possible, the horse is warmed up by walking and trotting for at least half an hour before entering the arena. The horse is guided by the rider toward the centre of each obstacle, his speed being contingent upon the breadth of each fence. The fences, which are not more than 1.6 metres (5.25 feet) high, often are placed less than 12 metres (40 feet) apart.
Competitions that test jumping ability within a specified time period either convert faults into seconds (Table C scoring) or convert extra seconds into faults (Table A scoring). In some contests, time is significant only when there is equality of faults.The contest based on jumping ability alone, called Puissance, requires the horse to run over a set number of obstacles in progressively more difficult courses; there is a limit of four jump-offs for Puissance competitions. All international shows are governed by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation). Open to international teams of four riders, a Nations Cup is based on two rounds, with the worst score of each team in each round being discarded. The President’s Cup, instituted in 1965, is based on the results of the several Nations Cup competitions each year and is considered a world team championship. The prize is awarded to the team with the six best scores.