Showjumping is one of three equestrian sports at the Olympic Games, the others being Horse Trials (Eventing) and Dressage. In Showjumping, combinations (a rider and a horse) ride over a set of jumps in numerical order, scoring penalties (also known as “faults”)  if they knock down any jumps or the horse refuses to go over a jump.

The winner is generally the athlete with the lowest score in the fastest time. It is a test of a rider’s skill and a horse’s ability.

The general rules for a Showjumping competition are that each horse and rider jumps a number of obstacles in a set order, known as a “track” or a “course” which takes competitors in several changes of direction within an arena. The fastest horse and rider with the lowest score is the winner.

Combinations are disqualified if they jump the wrong obstacle or the horse refuses to jump a fence more than once, or if the rider falls off or both horse and rider fall on the ground.

The obstacles in a Showjumping competition can be verticals (poles layered one on top of another) or spreads, known as “oxers” or “triple bars” where two or three jumps are placed together and must be jumped in one go. There is sometimes a water jump, which horses must clear in one leap. The bigger and wider the jumps are, the harder it is for the horse to jump them so those seen at the Olympics are considered the greatest challenges.

Like most Pony Club disciplines, the horse and rider combination are graded by the Pony Club and compete at their level, moving up the grades at they improve.  The size and types of obstacles are set in line with the competency required in each Showjumping grade, ensuring that all courses are appropriate for the level of the rider.

Riders are allowed to view all the jumps on foot before attempting to jump them on their horse – this is so they can memorise the route (the jumps must be jumped in numerical order). You may also see them counting their steps between the obstacles – this is so they know how many strides their horse will take and can ride accordingly.

Riders can compete as an individual or as part of a Club, Zone, State or National team.

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