Show jumping is one of the most recognized
equestrian events. Most shows offer jumping classes, and many young English riders aspire to
learning to jump.
Any horse can jump, and at lower levels any breed can compete including ponies, gaited breeds,
and crosses. At the highest levels, warmbloods dominate the sport, with some thoroughbreds
and warmblood crosses as well. Horses at this level have price tags in the millions.
Show jumping has been an Olympic sport for
a long time, and is one of the only sports where woman and men can compete as equals.
Horses compete over a set course of obstacles, which can include double and triple combinations
of jumps, wide jumps called oxers, narrow jumps, and sharp or awkward turns. The event is timed,
and faults are given if horses knock down rails or refuse jumps. The style of jumping is unimportant,
as long as the horse and rider clear the course as quickly as possible.
The height of the jumps in upper level competitions can be around five or six feet, with widths
of about the same. Some jumps can even exceed that height. The jumps themselves are designed
to be frightening to the horse, with garish colors, water, flowers, and large looming standards.
Horses and riders who complete the initial round without knocking down any rails are entered
into a jump off. This is usually a different course with less jumps in a different order,
and is again judged on time. The horse and rider that complete the jump off in the shortest amount
of time with the least number of faults wins.
Show jumping is one of the most recognized
equestrian events. Most shows offer jumping classes, and many young English riders aspire to
learning to jump. 
Show jumping has been an Olympic sport for
a long time, and is one of the only sports where woman and men can compete as equals. 