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Types of Competition
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Grand Prix show jumping.
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Grand Prix Competition
- Grand Prix: usually the most challenging competition with the highest purse money at a show. Horses are scored on a combination of faults and time in some competitions it is judged on technique.
- Speed Derby
- Puissance: a high-jump competition, where the final wall may reach over 7 feet tall.
- Six-Bar: riders jump six fences set in a straight line. In most places, fences are placed at equal distances apart, the first fence is the lowest and each subsequent fence is higher than the one before. Horses are either penalized or eliminated from competition if they knock down a rail. After each round where more than one competitor goes "clean," or is tied for fewest faults, the six fences are raised in height each subsequent round until there is a winner. Occasionally, if there are multiple jump-offs, the final fences can be raised to well over 6 feet.
- Gambler's Choice/Accumulator: An event where exhibitors choose their own course, with each fence cleared worth a given amount of points based on difficulty. The entry who accumulates the most points within a set time limit on course is the winner.
- Calcutta: A jumping event where spectators bet on which horse will win by means of an auction where the highest bidder has the exclusive bet on a given horse. Though the exact mechanism varies by region and culture, as a rule, the spectator who bets on the winner collects all money bet and then splits the purse with the owner of the winning horse.
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- Maiden, Novice and Limit: Jumping classes limited to horses with fewer than one, three or six wins. Fences are usually lower and time limits more generous.
- Match Race or Double Slalom: two identical courses are set up in a split arena, and two horses race over the courses.
- Touch Class: A class held much like a normal showjumping class, except that if the horse touches the jump it is considered four faults.
- Faults Converted: A class in which any faults are converted into seconds on the clock, usually at the rate of 1 second per fault (i.e. one rail = 4 seconds)
Types of Show Jumps
Show jumping fences are often colorful, sometimes very elaborate and artistic in design, particularly at the highest levels of competition. Types of jumps used include the following:
- Vertical (or Upright) - a jump that consists of poles or planks placed one directly above another with no spread, or width, to jump.
- Oxer - two verticals close together, to make the jump wider. Also called a spread.
- Square Oxer: Both top poles are of an equal height.
- Ascending Oxer (usually called a Ramped Oxer): The furthest pole is higher than the first.
- Descending Oxer (usually called an Offset Oxer): The furthest pole is lower than the closest.
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