Welcome to the Equestrian Outreach Show Jumping / Stadium Jumping Page

Show Jumper / Hunter Jumper Differences Overview

What are the differences between Hunter (Show Hunter) classes and Jumper (Show Jumper) classes as both classes jump over obstacles? The simple answer is how they are judged. Hunters are judged on the subjective opinion of a judge; on their level of Equitation. Jumper (Show Jumper) classes differ because the score is determined by the ability of the riding team (Horse and Rider) to negotiate a course in the allotted time without incurring penalties.

There are additional differences between Hunters and Jumpers as follows:

Jumpers / Show Jumping / Stadium Jumping Overview

Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping" or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics. Sometimes shows are limited exclusively to jumpers, sometimes jumper classes are offered in conjunction with other English-style events, and sometimes show jumping is but one division of very large, all-breed competitions that include a very wide variety of disciplines. Jumping classes may be governed by various national horse show sanctioning organizations, such as the United States Equestrian Federation in the USA. However, international competitions are governed by the rules of the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).

Show Jumper Courses: Jumper classes are held over a course of show jumping obstacles, including verticals, spreads, double and triple combinations, usually with many turns and changes of direction. The purpose is to jump cleanly over a set course within an allotted time. Time faults are assessed for exceeding the time allowance. Jumping faults are incurred for knockdowns and blatant disobedience, such as refusals (a horse refusing to jump or runs away). Horses are allowed a limited number of refusals before being disqualified. A refusal can also lead to a rider going over the time allowed on course. Placings (positions) are based on the lowest number of points or "faults" accumulated. A horse and rider who have not accumulated any jumping faults or penalty points are said to have scored a "clear round." Tied entries usually have a jump off over a raised and shortened course, and the course is timed; if entries are tied for faults accumulated in the jump-off, the fastest time wins.

Show Jumps – Jump Types: Show jumping obstacles or jumps 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) Is a jump that consists of poles or planks placed one directly above another with no spread, or width, to jump.
Oxer: Is two verticals close together, to make the jump wider. Also called a spread.
Square Oxer: (sometimes known as Box 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.
Swedish Oxer: The poles slant in opposite directions, so that they appear to form an "X" shape when seen head on.
Triple Bar: Is a spread fence using three elements of graduating heights.
Cross Rail: Is mainly uses in beginning Hunter classes and is not commonly used in higher level horse shows, and sometimes called a "cross-pole," two poles crossed with one end of each pole is on the ground and on jump standards so that the center is lower than the sides. Used at small shows and for schooling purposes to help the horse jump in the center of the fence.
Wall: This type of jump is usually made to look like a brick wall, but the "bricks" are constructed of a lightweight material and fall easily when knocked.
Hogsback: A type of spread fence with three rails where the tallest pole is in the center.
Filler: This is not a type of fence but is a solid part below the poles, such as flower boxes or a rolltop. It can also be a gate.
Combination: Is usually 2 or 3 jumps in a row, with no more than 2 strides between each. 2 jumps in a row are called double combinations, and 3 jumps in a row are triple combinations. If a horse refuses the second or third element in one of these combinations, they must jump the whole combination again, not just the obstacle(s) they missed.
Fan: Has the rails on one side of the fence are spread out by standards, making the fence take the shape of a fan when viewed from above.
Open Water: Is a large, rectangular-shaped "ditch" of water, often with a small brush (18") or a rail on one side to act as a ground line. Water jumps are one of the widest obstacles a horse will be asked to jump, with a width up to 16'. They should be approached strongly, with a long stride, and the rider must judge the take-off to put the horse as deep (close) to the obstacle as possible, so that the jumping effort isn't increased. Should the rider cause the horse to take off too far back, it may be near impossible for him to clear the obstacle. However, the rider should also take care not to over-ride this fence, as it may unnerve the horse and make him very difficult to get back under control afterwards. Riders and horses need to keep eyes up and not look down. Water, although it can be spooky for a horse, is usually more daunting for the rider. Open water is not used in the stadium phase of eventing.
Liverpool: Is a ditch or large tray of water under a vertical or oxer
Joker: Is a tricky fence comprising only a rustic (or unpainted) rail and two wings. The lack of filler makes it difficult for a horse to judge their proximity to the fence as well as the fence's height, making it a tricky obstacle usually found only in the upper divisions, and illegal in some competitions.

Walking The Course: In most competitions, riders are allowed to walk the regular course but not the jump-off course before competition to plan their ride. Walking the course is a chance for the rider to walk the lines they will actually ride, to decide how many strides the horse will need to take between each jump and at which approach angle. The technical difficulty of the courses raise with level of the competition, such as Local shows to "A" rated shows in the United States, or the international "Grand Prix" circuit. Not only is the height (up to 6.5 feet (2.3 meters) and sometimes width of up to 12 feet (3.6576 meters) of the "spread" of an obstacle increased to present a greater challenge, technical difficulty also increases with tight turns and shorter or unusual distances between fences. Horses sometimes also have to jump fences from an angle rather than straight-on. For example, a course designer might set up a line so that there are six and a half strides (the standard measure for a canter stride is 12 feet) between the jumps, requiring the rider to adjust the horse's stride dramatically in order to make the distance.
Unlike show hunter classes, which reward calmness and style, Jumper classes require boldness, scope, power, accuracy, and control; speed is also a factor, especially in jump-off courses and speed classes (when time counts even in the first round). A jumper must jump big, bravely, and fast, but he must also be careful and accurate to avoid knockdowns and must be balanced and ride able in order to rate and turn accurately. A jumper rider must ride the best line to each fence, saving ground with well-planned turns and lines and must adjust the horse's stride for each fence and distance. In a jump-off, a rider must balance the need to go as fast as possible and turn as tight as possible against the horse's ability to jump cleanly

Show Jumping Rules: Rules have since evolved, with different national federations having different classes and rules. The international governing body for most major show jumping competitions is the Federation Equestrian Internationale (FEI).

Jumping Penalties: Jumping penalties are assessed for refusals and knockdowns, with each refusal or knockdown adds four faults to a competitor's score. Penalties for knockdowns are imposed only when the knockdown changes the height of the jump. If a horse or rider knocks down a bottom or middle rail while still clearing the height of the obstacle, they receive no penalties. Penalties are assessed at the open water when the horse touches the water or white tape with any of his feet. If a rail is set over the middle of the water, faults are not accumulated for landing in the water.
Refusals: Refusals now are penalized four faults, up from three. Within the last several years, the FEI has decreased the number of refusals resulting in elimination from three to two, and this rule has trickled down from the top levels of FEI competition to all levels of horse shows (at least in the United States).
A refusal that results in the destruction of the integrity of a jump (running into the fence instead of jumping it, displacing poles, gates, flowers, or large clumps of turf or dirt) will not receive four faults for the knockdown, but instead the four faults for a refusal and an additional penalty while the timer is stopped for the repair or replacement of the jump. A refusal inside a combination (one- or two-stride) must re-jump the entire combination.
Time Penalties: In the past, a common timing rule was a 1/4 second penalty for each second or fraction of a second over the time allowed. Since the early 2000s, this rule was changed by the FEI so that each second or fraction of a second over the time allowed would result in 1 time penalty (e.g. with a time allowed of 72 seconds, a time of 73.09 seconds would result in 2 time faults).

Show Jumper Competitions:
Grand Prix Competition: 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 6.5 feet (2.0 m). Grand Prix-level show jumping competitions include the Olympics, the World Equestrian Games and the Samsung Super League series. Grand Prix show jumping is normally referred to collectively as five-star Concours de Saut International (CSI) rules.
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.
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: Is 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 show jumping 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)

Show Jumper Rider Attire: Rider attire may be somewhat less formal than that used in hunter riding. However, an approved ASTM/SEI equestrian helmet with a harness is always required, and is a practical necessity to protect the rider's head in the event of a fall. Tall boots are required, usually black. Spurs are optional, but commonly used. Breeches are traditional in color, usually white, tan, or beige. At approved competitions, depending on sanctioning organization, a dark-colored coat is usually worn (though under the rules of the USEF tweed or wash jackets are allowed in the summer and lighter colors are currently in fashion), with a light-colored (usually white) ratcatcher-style shirt and either a choker or stock tie. However, especially in the summer, many riders wear a simple short-sleeved "polo" style shirt with helmet, boots and breeches, and even where coats are required, the judges may waive the coat rule in extremely hot weather. Gloves, usually black, are optional, as is braiding of the horse. At FEI Grand Prix levels, tradition is very strong and riders dress in a more formal manner. White shirts and breeches are worn with black boots. Members of some national teams, including the United States, may be seen in red jackets, a color reserved for only riders of the Grand Prix level; otherwise international competitors usually wear a dark navy jacket, sometimes with national insignia added.

Show Jumper Horses: A show jumper must have the scope and courage to jump large fences as well as the athletic ability to handle the sharp turns and bursts of speed necessary to navigate the most difficult courses. Many breeds of horses have been successful show jumpers, and even some "grade" horses of uncertain breeding have been champions. Most show jumpers are tall horses, over 16 hands, usually of Warmblood or Thoroughbred breeding, though horses as small as 14.1 hands have been on the Olympics teams of various nations and carried riders to Olympic and other international medals. There is no correlation between the size of a horse and its athletic ability, nor do tall horses necessarily have an advantage when jumping. Nonetheless, a taller horse may make a fence appear less daunting to the rider.
Ponies (horses smaller than 14.2 hands) also compete in show jumping competitions in many countries, usually in classes limited to riders under the age of 17 or 18. Pony-sized horses may, on occasion, compete in open competition with adult riders. The most famous example was Stroller, who only stood 14.1 but was nonetheless a medal winner for the United Kingdom's show jumping team in the 1968 Summer Olympics, jumping one of the few clean rounds in the competition. Significant jumpers from the United States are included in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame.

Show Jumper Tack: Show jumping competitors use a very forward style of English saddle, most often the "close contact" design, which has a forward flap and a seat and cantle that is flatter than saddles designed for general all-purpose English riding or dressage. This construction allows greater freedom of movement for the rider when in jumping position, and allows a shorter stirrup, required in order for a rider to allowing the rider to lighten his or her seat. Other saddles, such as those designed for dressage, are intended for riders with a deep seat, can hinder a rider over large fences, forcing them into a position that limits the horse's movement and may put the rider dangerously behind the movement of the horse.
At international levels, saddle pads are usually white and square in shape, allowing the pair to display a sponsorship, national flag, or breeding affiliation. (In contrast, riders in show hunters and equitation often use "fitted" fleece pads that are the same shape as the saddle.) Girths vary in type, but usually have a contour to give room for the horse's elbows, and many have belly guards to protect the underside of the horse from its shoe studs when the front legs are tightly folded under.
Bridles may be used with any style of cavesson noseband, and there are few rules regarding the severity of this equipment. The figure-8 cavesson is the most popular type. Bits may also vary in severity, and competitors may use any bit, or even a "bitless bridle" or a hackamore. However, the ground jury at the show has the right, based on veterinary advice, to refuse a bit or bridling scheme if it could cause harm to the horse.
Boots and/or wraps are worn by almost all horses, due to the fact that they may easily injure their legs when landing or when making tight turns at speed. Open-fronted tendon boots are usually worn on the forelegs, because they provide protection for the delicate tendons that run down the back of the leg, but still allow the horse to feel a rail should it get careless and hang its legs. Fetlock boots are sometimes seen on the rear legs, primarily to prevent the horse from hitting itself on tight turns.
Martingales are very common, especially on horses used at the Grand Prix level. The majority of jumpers are ridden in running martingales, as these provide the most freedom over fences. Although a standing martingale (a strap connecting directly to the horse's noseband) is commonly seen on show hunters and may be helpful in keeping a horse from throwing its head up, it can also be quite dangerous in the event of a stumble, restricting a horse from using its head to regain its balance. For this reason, standing martingales are not used in show jumping or eventing. Breastplates are also common, used to keep the saddle in place as the horse goes over large fences.