Show jumping: heights, faults and your first show

How show jumping works

Horse and rider jump a numbered course of fences in order. The fences are built to knock down, and mistakes are counted as faults. The aim is a clear round: no faults at all. British Showjumping (BS), the governing body for the sport in Great Britain, runs classes from 60 cm upwards.

Faults

British Showjumping's 2024 handbook for its Club and Just for Schools classes lists:

Where the sources disagree

British Showjumping's published rules for Club classes don't all say the same thing:

• Second refusal. The 2024 Club and Just for Schools handbook gives 8 faults. A correction notice on the BS website, which isn't dated, says the Club fault table in BS's national members' handbook was wrong, and that a second refusal in Club classes costs 4 faults.
• Time. The 2024 handbook sets a time allowed based on a speed of 300 metres a minute, with 1 time penalty for every second started over it, and elimination for taking more than twice the time allowed. The correction notice says Club classes have no clock, just a time allowed of two minutes.

We haven't been able to tell from BS's published documents which version is current, so ask the show secretary or officials before your round. Other classes, including national classes and the show jumping phase of eventing, have their own rules.

Formats: jump-offs and two phases

Shows choose how each class is run. The BS Club and Just for Schools handbook describes three formats:

• One round with a jump-off. Everyone jumps the first round. Those tied for first place on the fewest faults come back for a jump-off, a shorter course against the clock. Lower places are decided on faults and time from the first round.
• Single phase. The course is split into two sections of five to seven fences. Faults count over both; only the second section is timed.
• Two phase. A first phase of seven to nine fences, then a timed second phase of four to six. Only combinations clear in the first phase carry straight on into the second; anyone with faults is stopped by the bell after the last fence of the first phase.

Fences in a jump-off or second phase can be up to 5 cm higher than in the first round. In every format, places are decided by the fewest faults and then the quickest time over the timed part.

Where to start: Club classes

BS Club membership is designed as the first step into affiliated show jumping:

• Classes run at 60 cm, 70 cm, 80 cm, 90 cm and 1 metre, split into junior (16 and under) and senior leagues.
• Club members compete for league points, not prize money, and can qualify for a national Club championship. Points go to the horse-and-rider combination: 12 for first place, down to 3 for sixth.
• Membership costs £30 a year per horse-and-rider combination, and junior riders need a parent or guardian on the membership. A combination that is registered nationally and has had a double clear or a prize-money placing in the last three years can't join as Club members.
• Club classes don't include water trays or triple combinations, and horses and ponies jump the same course.

Just for Schools classes are for riders aged 5 to 19 in full-time education, jumping for their school or college, at 60 cm to 1.10 m. National membership is needed for all other affiliated classes: there you win prize money, and points that decide which classes a horse can enter.

You don't have to be a member to try a Club class. If you enjoy it, joining within seven days of the competition still gets you the Club points.

Age rules

In both Club and Just for Schools classes, riders can't jump classes above 90 cm before the calendar year in which they turn eight, and can ride horses (as opposed to ponies) from 1 October in the year they turn 11. There's no age limit on riding a pony. Stallions can't compete in Club or Just for Schools classes.

Your first show

The BS handbook's advice:

• Before you go. Check the show is still running. Plan your route, with a spare, and arrive in good time to make your entries, walk the course and warm up. Clean your tack and get your clothes ready the day before.
• What to take. Your horse's passport and your membership cards (you can't enter without them), plus grooming kit, travel rugs, boots and tail guard, water and buckets, sponges, hay, a first aid kit for horse and human, tack, your competition clothes, and food and drink.
• Walk the course. Walk the line you plan to ride, note the fence numbers so you don't miss one, and find the timing equipment. Watching a few rounds first is a good reminder of the course.
• In the practice arena. Pass other riders left hand to left hand. Practice fences have a white wing on the left and a red one on the right: "red for right". Only use the fences provided, don't hog the practice fence, and don't raise it more than 10 cm above the first-round height.
• Afterwards. Consider giving yourself and your horse a rest day, and reflect on what to work on next. BS accredited coaches can help.

What to wear

At BS shows, protective headgear meeting one of the listed standards must be worn, with the harness fastened, by anyone mounted, competitor or not. Riders wear a tailored jacket, a shirt with a white collar, breeches in white, pale yellow, beige, grey or fawn (not black or navy), and black or brown boots. Body protectors are optional, but an inflatable one must be worn over a BETA-approved body protector. BS strongly recommends removing jewellery. See Safety for riders for more on hats and body protectors.

BS's code of conduct asks everyone on the show site to make the welfare of their horse paramount at all times.