Grand Prix show jumping

The Grand Prix is the highest level of show jumping. Run under International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) rules, the horse jumps a course of 10 to 16 obstacles, with heights and spreads of up to convert|6.5|ft|m. Grand Prix-level show jumping competitions include the Olympics, the World Equestrian Games, the Samsung Super League series, the World Cup Series, and the Nations Cup Series. Grand Prix showjumping is normally referred to collectively as five-star Concours de Saut International (CSI) rules.

Courses usually include tight twists and turns, very high and colourful fences, and are designed to test the stamina, precision, power, and control of both horse and rider. A great deal of training and conditioning as well as many years of show experience are required to get both horse and rider prepared for such an event.

Top shows are found world wide. The object of the sport is to ride the course with the fewest faults. If the horse and rider knock down a rail, go over the time alloted or refuse a jump, faults are given. Four faults are given for each rail down and each refusal, and one fault for each second over the time allotted. Riders are eliminated if they are disjoined from (fall off) the horse at any point during the round, refuse a jump more than twice, or if they go off course (take the jumps in the wrong sequence).

If more than one horse-and-rider team has a clear round, meaning they had no faults, they will come back to ride in the jump off. However, if none achieves a clear round, the riders who had the fewest faults will compete against each other. If only one rider achieves a clear round in the original Grand Prix round, that person is automatically declared the winner and there is no jump off.

The jump off is an abbreviated and more difficult and normally faster version of the original course, judged in the same way as the original. Obstacles can be raised for the jump off from the starting height.

Grand Prix Show Jumping History

The sport of Show Jumping was derived from fox hunting; Grand Prix Show Jumping began in Paris, France in 1866. Show jumping enabled owners to exhibit their horses' abilities in a more confined arena, as opposed to the fox hunting fields. As show jumping usually takes place in a small arena, or stadium, and is almost always timed, the horse in question must show flexibility, maneuverability, and extreme jumping proficiency.

Show jumping was officially recognized as an Olympic sport in 1912.

From the official Olympics website:

"Modern jumping events are based on the foxhunting tradition. Hunting enthusiasts in Britain and America sought ways to test the talents of their horses more systematically. Jumping competitions for horses were first organized in the 19th century in Ireland by the Royal Dublin Society. Modern jumping techniques were developed by the Italian Federico Caprilli, who is considered the "father of modern riding."" [ [http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/programme/history_uk.asp?DiscCode=ES&sportCode=EQ International Olympic Committee - Sports ] ]

Many horses have achieved remarkable feats and added their name to a list of great Grand Prix jumpers. These include Kim Prince's Marlou, Abdullah, Baloubet du Rouet, Boomerang, Dobels Cento, Galoubet A, Grannis, Halla, Heartbreaker, Monopoly, Nimmerdor, Ramiro Z, Robinson, Snowball, Snowman, Stroller, Milton, Gem Twist, Royal Kaliber, and Big Ben.

The Olympic History of Show Jumping

From the official Olympics website

"Equestrian events have been on the Olympic program since 1900, when jumping events were held during the Olympics in Paris. However, equestrian events were not held again until 1912 in Stockholm. Since that year, the sport has always been on the Olympic program. The program has remained remarkably constant. In 1900, a high jump and long jump for horses was held for the first and only time.Jumping consists of negotiating a series of obstacles with the goal being not to disturb the fences.

Prior to 1952, equestrian sport during the Olympics were contested by men only. In fact, the riders had to be military athletes. More specifically, they had to be commissioned officers. Beginning in 1952, these restrictions were lifted, and since 1952, men and women have competed against each other in the equestrian events." ["ibid."]

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