| If you are not sure what exactly show jumps are, | | | | The type of tack or saddle the horse wears is |
| then this will help explain them for you. They are | | | | different for show jumps than for the other types |
| generally affiliated with the English style of horse | | | | of competitions. It is an English saddle with what is |
| shows or events. The event is generally called show | | | | called a close contact design. This gives both the rider |
| jumping or stadium jumping, these are instruments | | | | and the horse more freedom when they are |
| that the horses are trained to jump over in. Show | | | | performing their jumps. They usually have square |
| jumping can be an event on its own or it can be | | | | white saddle pads, the stirrups are shorter. The bridle |
| combined with other events such as dressing, | | | | can be used with any kind of noseband and bits are |
| hunters and several other events. This type of event | | | | allowed as long as the official event vet deems that |
| is done in horse shows all over the world, you can | | | | it will not harm the horse. |
| even find it in the Olympics. | | | | There are several different competitions available |
| You will find several different classes competing in | | | | around the world. Grand Prix is one where the horses |
| these English style events, the hunter and jumper | | | | are made to jump ten to sixteen different types of |
| classes being the most common. A horse in the | | | | jumps. Some of which reach as high as six and a half |
| hunter class will be judged on appearance, style and | | | | feet. This particular course can be seen in the |
| the type of manners that it exhibits. On the other | | | | Olympics. |
| hand, the horse in the jumper class will be judged by | | | | Other types that are popular would be, Speed Derby, |
| a number system that includes the different types of | | | | Puissance which is a type of course that may have |
| jumps the horse completes with as few faults as | | | | jumps as tall as seven feet high. The Six Bar is a |
| possible and in the shortest amount of time. Hunters | | | | course that has six different jumps for the horse |
| require calm and a special kind of style. The jumper | | | | that vary in size beginning with the shortest and |
| class must be bold, strong, speedy, accurate and | | | | ending with the tallest. The Gamblers Choice is a |
| have a lot of control. | | | | course that the rider picks for the horse. There is |
| Faults for jumpers can be given for a variety of | | | | also one called the Maiden or Novice which is a |
| different infractions. Knockdowns and refusals are | | | | course for horses with very little experience. |
| the most commonly issued faults against the horse | | | | There are different styles of show jumps that the |
| and rider. When it comes to knockdowns there is an | | | | horse may have to jump over. The first would be |
| exception to the rule, if the horse does not change | | | | the Vertical which is several poles that are placed |
| the height of the jump and only knocks down the | | | | one on top of another and no width for the horse to |
| middle or bottom bar, he will not receive a fault. | | | | jump. There is the Oxer and that is when they take |
| If the horse refuses to do a certain jump and it | | | | two of the verticals, put them together so that |
| interferes with the competition, that horse can then | | | | there is more width for the horse to jump over. The |
| receive up to four faults for the one refusal. | | | | Triple Bar is a fence like structure that uses three |
| Time is a factor as well. Should the horse go over | | | | different bars that are set at three different heights. |
| the time allowed for the course, the horse and rider | | | | The Wall is a jump made to look like a brick wall. A |
| will receive one second of fault for each second that | | | | combination is where the horse does the same jump |
| the horse goes over the allowed time for that | | | | two or three times during the course. Plus many |
| course. | | | | more different types of jumps. |
| There is what is called the combination fault and this | | | | The two main breeds that frequent these types of |
| is when the horse in involved with a course that | | | | competitions are the Warmbloods and of course the |
| must go over the same area of the course more | | | | Thoroughbred. The competitions however; are not |
| than once. Should the horse refuse to do a certain | | | | limited to just those two breeds, many horses that |
| part of the course every time he gets there, then it | | | | have not come from this stock have competed |
| is four faults for each time. If the horse refused | | | | successfully. |
| twice, the horse will receive 8 faults not 4 faults. | | | | |