Show jumping is a form of equestrian riding. It is derived from the sport of cross country horse jumping. Show jumping is a worldwide sport, and is a fully-sanctioned Olympic event, featuring both men's and women's competition. Show jumping is performed as an individual sport, as a part of an overall eventing competition.
History
The first reported Grand Prix show jumping event is reported to have taken place in Paris during 1866. Show jumping was added to the summer Olympic games in 1900 and was originally dominated by military riders. The first civilian horse rider won show jumping gold in 1952. In 1987, the show jumping hall of fame was opened, with Idle Dice and William Steinkraus among the first inductees.
Formats
Show jumping events can be individual or team; it can also be a single component of a larger eventing competition. Some classes are divided by the age and experience of the horse rider on any horse or pony. Other classes are grouped by the size of the horse or pony competing in the event.
Rules
A show jumping event takes place on an indoor course featuring a combination of different jumps and obstacles. The show jumping event has a set time limit in which the horse rider must complete the course. Every rider starts with zero faults, one penalty second is added to a riders score for every second it takes above the allotted time limit.
A rider receives four faults for a refusal by the horse to jump, and a second refusal results in elimination. Horses that knock down part of a fence, or have a foot land in the water after a jump, will result in four faults. The winner is the rider with the fewest faults, a rider who receives no penalty points is said to have completed a 'clear round.' Runners tied for the lead compete in a jump off to decide the winner.
Greats
John Whitaker MBE is a four-time European champion, and the Whitaker family are a dynasty in European show jumping. American horse rider Joe Fargis is another legend of the sport. Fargis is enshrined in the show jumping hall of fame and was a double gold medal winner at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic games. Fargis set an Olympic games record by clearing 90 of 91 obstacles with no penalty points.
Expert Insight
Ivo Vrbecik has trained show jumping horses and coached horse riders for over 20 years. Vrbecik recommends that a rider walk the course before competing in a show jumping event. Riders are allowed to walk the course once and can calculate the best route, and how many strides a horse should take between each obstacle.
Member Comments