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What
is it?
• Show jumping is a very straightforward sport. Competitors
are required to jump a course of fences without incurring any 'faults'
(penalties).
• Faults are incurred if a horse knocks down, refuses to jump
or falls at a fence. Different types of faults incur different numbers
of penalty points.
• In addition to jumping faults, riders have to complete the
course within the 'time allowed' and will incur time penalties if
they fail to achieve this.
• If more than one competitor completes the course without
penalty, in other words jumps a 'clear round', there will be a jump-off.
The Jump Off
• The course is usually shortened and the height of the fences
raised.
• The same scoring rules apply, except that in the case of
equal faults the horse with the fastest time will be declared the
winner.
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According to the International Federation for Equestrian Sports
(FEI) show jumping ‘is a test intended to demonstrate the
horse’s freedom, its energy, its skill, its speed and its
obedience in jumping and the rider’s horsemanship.’ All show
jumping classes around the world are subject to the same scoring
system, which is controlled by the FEI. |
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Faults
• In the UK, scores are commonly referred to as faults
rather than penalties.
• The first time a refusal occurs, the penalty is four
faults, six faults are given for the second, and the third
constitutes elimination.
• A penalty of four faults is incurred each time a fence
is knocked down and the penalty for the horse touching the
water at a water jump is also four faults.
• Eight faults are awarded if the rider falls off.
• A quarter of a fault is added for every second over
the time allowed. |
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A jumping 'round'
• Horse and rider must take the course in a designated sequence.
All obstacles are numbered.
• Courses include vertical and spread fences, with double and
triple jump combinations and many turns and changes of direction.
• Riders walk the course before the start of the competition
to plan their route and find the best 'line' to each fence, ie the
approach that will enable them to jump the fence cleanly in the
shortest amount of time.
• A competitor must not start their 'round' until a bell has
been rung by the judges.
Winning the class
• Horses are natural jumpers, although obviously some
have greater ability than others.
• The key to a successful competitor is being able to place
your horse at the correct angle, height, and speed to clear the
fences without incurring faults.
• In a jump-off, the rider also needs to be able to identify
and follow the shortest route around the course in the quickest
time to win. |
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