| Show Jumps is usually part of the English style | | | | there, then it is four faults for each time. If the |
| equestrian competitions. This event can be on its | | | | horse refused twice, the horse will receive 8 |
| on at a competition or it can be combined with a | | | | faults not 4 faults. |
| variety of different events like dressing, hunting, | | | | The type of tack or saddle the horse wears is |
| etc. The event with the jumps are known better | | | | different for show jumps than for the other |
| as show jumping or stadium jumping. | | | | types of competitions. It is an English saddle with |
| There are different types of classes of horses | | | | what is called a close contact design. This gives |
| that compete in these events. The two most | | | | both the rider and the horse more freedom when |
| common classes are the Hunter class and the | | | | they are performing their jumps. They usually |
| Jumper class. Hunter class horses are judged by | | | | have square white saddle pads, the stirrups are |
| their style, how they look and their manners in | | | | shorter. The bridle can be used with any kind of |
| performance. The show jumper horses are | | | | noseband and bits are allowed as long as the |
| judged with a point system. The winning horse will | | | | official event vet deems that it will not harm the |
| have the highest score due to little or no faults | | | | horse. |
| given during the course. The Hunter class requires | | | | There are a large variety of events that |
| that the horse be calm and have a special kind of | | | | showcase the horses such as the Grand Prix, the |
| style. The Jumper class horse needs to be a bold | | | | horses are required to complete 10 to 16 |
| horse with strength, speed and accuracy. | | | | different obstacles, with heights going as tall as six |
| There are a variety of different rules for show | | | | and a half feet high. This type of event can even |
| jumps such as jumping penalties which are | | | | be seen in the Olympics. |
| considered refusals and knockdowns which then | | | | Others you might find would be the Speed Derby, |
| the horse and rider are charged four faults or | | | | Puissance a course where horses must clear |
| points against them. There is no penalty for a | | | | seven foot jumps, the Six Bar which is six |
| knockdown when it does not change the actual | | | | different jumps going from shortest to highest, |
| height of the jump. This can be done by the | | | | Gamblers Choice would be one that the rider |
| horse and rider knocking the middle or bottom | | | | picks out and not the judges, Maiden or Novice |
| bar of the jump. | | | | for inexperienced horses and many more. |
| If a horse refuses to do a jump he can receive | | | | There are also a variety of show jumps that the |
| four faults for that jump. If the refusal by the | | | | horse and rider will need to jump. These would be |
| horse happens to actually interfere with the event | | | | Vertical, poles placed on top of each other with |
| itself, is when they will receive a penalty for the | | | | no width to jump, Oxer, this is when two |
| refusal. | | | | verticals are put together to make the jump |
| Time is a factor as well. Should the horse go over | | | | wider, Triple Bar, a fence using three bars with |
| the time allowed for the course, the horse and | | | | graduating heights, Wall, fence made to look like |
| rider will receive one second of fault for each | | | | bricks, Combination, two or three jumps in a row, |
| second that the horse goes over the allowed time | | | | Open Water, ditch filled with water. |
| for that course. | | | | The types of horses used in show jumps are |
| There is what is called the combination fault and | | | | generally Warmbloods or Thoroughbreds that can |
| this is when the horse in involved with a course | | | | measure as tall as 16 hands in height, although |
| that must go over the same area of the course | | | | there have been some good show jumpers that |
| more than once. Should the horse refuse to do a | | | | have competed that did not come from such |
| certain part of the course every time he gets | | | | breeds. |