Everything You Need To Know About My Hobby
Have you ever watched the equestrian portion of the Olympics on television? If you have, then you’ve probably seen horses clearing massive jumps in a vast arena, racing against the clock. This is the riding discipline known as show jumping.
What is show jumping? Showjumping is a horseback riding discipline where horses and riders compete to clear a set jumping course with the lowest amount of faults and the fastest time. If two riders are tied with no faults, then the amount of time it took them to complete the course will be the determining factor of who wins.
Showjumping is a very popular discipline in the horseback riding world. There are many levels to compete at, from a local youth circuit up to the specific event in the Olympics. Showjumping requires finesse and skill from both the horse and rider in order to clear the jump course at the fastest time with the fewest amount of faults.
If you plan on attending a show jumping event, it’s important to understand how each class works so you don’t miss a thing!
In one of the first showjumping events I competed in, I was never told that there was a piece of paper illustrating the course I was supposed to jump. Luckily, I watched enough riders go before me that I was able to memorize the course anyway. Knowing exactly what to expect when you get to the competition will help you to feel more confident and prepared once you get in the ring.
Here’s a step-by-step of how a show jumping competition works:
Register For the Division You Want to Compete In - Get to the showgrounds and get your horse registered for the specific division you plan on competing in. Depending on the division or class you decide to enter will determine the height of the jumps, the variation of obstacles you may see, and the ideal speed to complete the course.
Memorize Your Courses Ahead of Time - Find the course guide in order to learn the courses you will be jumping. This paper can usually be found at the administrator’s desk or at the jumping arena hanging from the fence. You may even get sent the course ahead of time if the show has early registration. Take time to memorize each course.
Know When the Timer Begins - Once you’ve been called into the arena for your course, it’s important to know when your timer will begin. Some shows will begin the timer as soon as a whistle or a horn sounds while others will begin the time once you pass through a certain point or over the first jump. Ask the gatekeeper before entering the arena about when the time tracker starts.
Understand Faults and Eliminations - As you go through your course, you can develop faults that will affect your overall score. The more faults you have, the less likely you are to win. Here’s a list of faults and eliminations to be aware of:
knocking down a poll
refusing or running out at a jump
getting off-course
going over the allotted time to complete the course
Your Score Will Be Announced - Once you’ve completed your course, your time, faults, and overall score will be announced. When each rider has completed their course, the overall winner will be given that 1st place ribbon…and I hope that winner is you!
When it comes to showjumping, you can find a number of different obstacles that you and your horse will have to clear. Some obstacles will only be found in certain divisions while others are universal to every show jumping level. Here’s a table of some of the obstacles you can come across in the showjumping arena:
| Crossrail | A jump that appears to be in the shape of an “x.” These jumps are inviting to both beginner horses and beginner riders. They’ll be found in lower-level show jumping events. |
|---|---|
| Jump Combination | Consists of multiple jumps spaced one, two, or three strides apart. These can be seen as more tricky since the horse has to get a specific stride between each jump in order to get through the section of jumps smoothly. |
| Liverpool | A blue tray filled with water to make jumps more intimidating. These can be wide or narrow and the tray will be placed on the ground under a jump. |
| Oxer | Also known as a spread; an oxer is where multiple jump standards and poles are used to create a wider jump. |
| Vertical | A jump made out a single pair of jump standards being only one pole wide. |
| Wall | A solid-looking jump that appears to be a brick wall. The walls found in the showjumping ring are created out of moveable, lightweight bricks. |
Before you register for a specific showjumping division at a competition, make sure you’re choosing a division that you know you can do. Each division will have a listed jump height, required time, and specific obstacles listed. Choose a division with a jump height you’ve jumped multiple times and that you and your horse feel comfortable doing. Choose a division that has obstacles that you and your horse have practiced going over.
When it comes to your first showjumping competition, you want to make sure it’s a good experience for both you and your horse. If you choose a division that you’re not prepared for, there can be unnecessary stress and pressure put on your horse. It’s better to take the safe road and aim for a division you know you and your horse can do.
“Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of Solitaire. It is a grand passion.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson.
I hope this information was helpful. I hope you know a little bit more about showjumping now!
If you want to know more about me, check my personal website here.