Show Jumping

In show jumping horse and rider combinations jump a series of obstacles that may include water jumps, simulated stone walls, parallel rails, triple bars and many other variations, all designed to test the rider's skill and the horse's jumping ability. 

Competition

Show jumping is an all round test of horse and rider and designing and building showjumping courses has become a specialist art. In each class, penalties are given for faults such as knocking down an obstacle (4 penalties), refusing an obstacle (3 penalties) and exceeding time limits.

Horses in Australia are graded according to their experience and talent - a young horse just beginning his jumping career will begin on 0 points (D Grade) and in every Official competition points will be awarded up to third place. As the horse progresses his points are tallied and once a certain level is attained then the horse reaches the next grade through to A Grade.

There are many different competitions in showjumping such as 6 bar (six jumps in a line and after each round the heights are raised), knockout stakes ( two competitors against each other over identical courses) and the puissance (a brick wall that is raised after each clear round) and of course many other variations including speed, high jump and ride and drive.

Further information

This information kindly supplied by Equestrian NSW. For further information please visit www.nsw.equestrian.org.au