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Show jumping facts for kids

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Show jumping
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A competitor in a show jumping class
Highest governing body International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI)
Nicknames
  • Jumpers
  • Jumping
  • stadium jumping
Characteristics
Contact No
Team members Individual and team at international levels
Mixed-sex Yes
Type indoor/outdoor
Equipment
Venue Usually outdoor on grass or dirt-surfaced arena
Presence
Country or region Worldwide
Olympic 1912
Pius Schwizer, Nobless, 2008 Summer Olympics Hong Kong
Pius Schwizer, Nobless, 2008 Summer Olympics Hong Kong

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.

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See also

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