Show jumping facts for kids
A competitor in a show jumping class
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| Highest governing body | International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) |
|---|---|
| Nicknames |
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| Characteristics | |
| Contact | No |
| Team members | Individual and team at international levels |
| Mixed gender | Yes |
| Type | indoor/outdoor |
| Equipment |
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| Venue | Usually outdoor on grass or dirt-surfaced arena |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide |
| Olympic | 1912 |
Show jumping is an equestrian event that uses English riding. The rider and his horse must complete an obstacle course with certain rules made by the International Federation of Equestrian sports. The sport was born in the 18th century by fox hunters when England introduced fencing laws. Hunters were now obligated to jump fences and this has become a very popular activity. In 1912, show jumping made its first appearance in the Olympic Games. Show jumping is one of the very few sports where men and women are completely equal in competitions. In this sport, you need a muscular horse with a good cardiovascular endurance. Also, it must have a quick and stable temperament for the best performance. The breeds that are the most sought for this sport are Selle Français, Anglo-Arabe, Oldenburg, Warmblood (including Holsteiner and Hanoverian), Thoroughbred and Trakehner.
Rules
To win the first place, the rider and his horse must complete the course as quickly as possible without making any mistakes. A fault or mistake occurs when the horse knocks down a fence or obstacle or if it disobeys; such as refusing to jump or makes a run-out. In fact, if a fault occurs the rider receives a penalty and loses automatically four points per mistake. In addition, a rider can lose some points if he exceeds the given time; a penalty is deduced at each exceeding second. Also, a rider can be eliminated because of a fall down or does not do the course correctly. The course is established in advance by the course designer. A designated judge decides whether the rider is eliminated or not and if he is, the judge decides when.
The riders who complete a course without any mistake can proceed to the next step which is the jump-off. It is a shorter race and again the goal is to complete the course as quickly as possible and without making any mistake. The rider who has the best time wins the competition. If mistakes are made, seconds are added to the final time and this is why only the time score determines the winners.
Images for kids
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Proper show jumping attire, as seen in the show jumping phase of a three-day event. Attire at an event includes a mandatory armband as seen here, although the armband is not required in general show jumping.
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A show jumping course
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Show Jump Course
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Diagram of a show jumping course
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The jumping course in Balve
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Riders walking a course
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This knockdown will incur 4 penalties or "faults"
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Common show jumping tack: jumping saddle, open-front boots, running martingale.
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2008 Olympic equestrian jumping gold medalists Beezie Madden and Will Simpson
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Grand Prix Competition
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An oxer – England, 2004
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A Liverpool – California, USA, 2005
See also
In Spanish: Salto ecuestre para niños
