Show Jumping

Introduction

Show Jumping also called "open jumping", "stadium jumping" or "jumping" is an equestrian sport which involves horse and rider partnership jumping over the course of 10 to 13 knockable obstacles in an arena with penalties incurred for each of the obstacles which are knocked down or refused. The "Inclosure Acts" in the 18th century first encouraged the jumping of horses to come about. At the end of 18th century, a sport named "lepping" began to take place in France.

In 1869, horse leaping came to prominence at the Dublin horse show and then after 15 years Lepping competitions were brought to Britain. The first major competitions of show jumping took place in England in 1907 at Olympia. The sport in its modern form was added to the Olympic Games in 1912.

Objective

To jump cleanly over a series of set obstacles within an allotted time without committing faults.

Events

The two types of events that take place are -

Individual Jumping

Team Jumping

Participants

Male and female athletes compete on equal terms (as individuals or in teams) in various show jumping events.

Equipment

Show Jumping - Boots

Riders wear tall boots (usually black in color) in show jumping.

Show Jumping - Helmet

Riders wear an equestrian helmet with a harness to protect their head in case of falls.

Stock Tie

Riders wear a white stock tie while competing. It is worn with a pin stuck through the knot known as stock pin.

Show Jumping - Clothing

Riders wear formal attire which includes white shirt, white, cream or pale-colored breeches/jodhpurs and black or red colored jacket. In summers, many riders wear short-sleeved polo shirts instead of formal shirts.

Martingale

Martingale is a strap used to control the horse’s head carriage and prevent the horse from raising its head too high.

Boots/Wraps

Boots and wraps are fitted to the horse’s legs to protect them from knocks, tendon damage and other injuries. 

Belly Pad

These are used to protect the horse’s underside from injuries by the shoe studs of the horse at the time of jumping.

Noseband

It is a part of the horse’s bridle that is encircled around the nose and jaw of the horse.

Bit

This device is placed in horse’s mouth (on the gums) and the headstall is placed at the horse’s head.

Show Jumping - Bridle

One bit bridle is used in jumping events. 

Show Jumping - Stirrups

Stirrups are a flat-based metal frame or rings attached to the saddle by adjustable strips of leather that are used in mounting and as a support for rider’s legs.  

Show Jumping - Saddle

Saddles used in jumping have smaller flaps that are curved at the front to allow the stirrup leathers to be short. For safety reasons, the stirrup hangs freely from the bar of the saddle and the outside of the flap. 

Playing Area

The indoor arena of show jumping must have a minimum size of 1200 sq m with the minimum width on the shorter side of 25 m. The outdoor arena must have a minimum size of 4000 sq m with the minimum width on the shorter side of 50 m. The course includes jumping obstacles (verticals, double and triple combinations, spreads) with many turns and change of directions.

Officials

Judges

A panel of jump judges calculates the results (faults and penalties) of the competition. Usually, at international competitions, the panel is headed by a chairperson approved by FEI.

Marshal

Controller and organizer of the practice area.

Ring Crew

Responsible for maintaining (rebuilding the jumps) the course throughout the competition.