Jumper Horses
In jumper classes it is not judged on style. In jumper classes the goal is to jump all of the fences without knocking any rails over in the allotted time allowed. If a horse refuses a jump it can result in 4 faults, for each rail knocked off a jump is 4 faults, and 1/4 fault for every second past the time allowed to complete the course.
The presentation of the performance doesn’t have to be “graceful” but as long as all the jumps are still standing and in the time allotted the horse has been successful. In some jumper classes there is a jumper work off. If the horse has a clean first round meaning no faults, then they may continue to the second round which is called a jump-off course. In other classes, the horses that make it to the second round will exit the ring and return after the close of the first round for the jump-off.
Jumper courses usually have 8-12 fences consisting of single jumps or oxers that could have brush, water, or solid obstacles underneath them. Jumper courses may have roll backs, bending lines, and combinations.
Below is a list of divisions you would typically see in jumper classes:
- Young Jumpers: for inexperienced horses
- Junior Jumpers: for riders 18 and under
- Amateur-Owner Jumpers: for non-professional adult riders
- Pony Jumpers: for children
