SHOW JUMPING
Show jumping can be anything from a 90cm course through to an international Grand Prix, so there is, as with all equestrian sports, something for everyone whatever their capability.
This section outlines the different affiliated show jumping gradesand what you and your horse have to be capable of for each.
Soon we will be adding advice on terminology, etiquette and training.
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Governing Body
The British Show Jumping Association is the governing body which makes and implements all the rules and regulations for show jumping in this country. As with the other disciplines the BEF represents the BSJA as regards the FEI.
First Steps
1. Register your horse with the BSJA. You will need to provide a vaccination record and full ID along with other known information such as breeding details.
2. Register yourself with the BSJA - you can be a senior or junior (ponies) member.
Junior members - under 16 years of age - must have their application form signed by a parent or guardian who must be a BSJA member.
3. There are different membership categories including non-jumping so make sure you sign up correctly:
Full Membership: For those over aged 19 years and over who wish to compete themselves or are owners of a horse or pony that is registered.
Associate Membership: For those aged between 17 and 18 years
Junior Membership: For those aged 16 years and under, competing on a registered pony.
Junior Associate Membership: A category for those aged 13 - 16 years who wish to compete on horses and/or ponies.
Non-jumping Membership: This is for parents and guardians whose children or wards are BSJA members competing on registered ponies and horses or for those who wish to be involved in show jumping but not as a rider or owner.
You can of course become a life member.
4. You can purchase a "blue" ticket to ride on the day of an affiliated competition even if you are not a BSJA member. You purchase one ticket for every class in which you wish to participate; the appropriate entry fee is also payable. You will not be eligible for any prizes or points.
Books of 50 "red" tickets can be purchased directly from the BSJA for use by those who regularly buy and sell horses and so could not possibly keep registering them all or for horse trials members.
Please consult the BSJA website for current membership fees.
As a member you will receive:
1.The "book of words" i.e. the Rule Book
2. A quarterly magazine
3. Personal liability insurance
4. And we must not forget - a badge!
Points to note regarding Stallions:
1. The original registration document with the relevant breed society or stud book must be provided at the time.
2. Proof of blood type and DNA and parentage testing must be submitted.
3. If you cannot provide any of the above documentation, you will be allowed to register your horse for a year, but renewal will not be allowed if you cannot subsequently provide the paperwork.
4. Stallions must where tail ribbons which are obtained from the BSJA.
Points to note regarding imported horses
1. They will be graded according to their actual winnings, whether in currency or points.
2. If there is any doubt, the Chief Executive will decide, taking into account the number of competition start that have been made and the level (height) of competition. This of course is dependent upon the horse having been registered with the relevant foregoing association, it still retaining the same name and appropriate ID papers can be produced.
3. If you are unable to proof a horse's identity, then they will be graded as follows:
Age |
Winnings |
4 years |
NIL |
6 years |
£200.00 |
6 years |
£400.00 |
7 years |
£1,000.00 |
8 years |
£1,800.00 |
The System: How horses are graded
Registered horses and ponies are graded according to the amount of any winnings (i.e. their ability):
Grade C (Horse) |
£0 - £799.00 |
Grade B |
£800.00 - £1,799.00 |
Grade A |
£1,800.00 and over |
Grade JD (Pony) |
£0 - £49.00 |
Grade JC |
£50.00 - £599.00 |
Grade JA |
£600.00 and over |
The System: Classes
All courses at BSJA shows are built by properly trained course builders to required standards.
A judge has to be present for each class who is a member of the official BJSA panel of judges.
You can work your way through "novice classes" up to whatever standard you and your horse are comfortable with. Heights of fences for are strictly regulated and are as follows:
Class |
Maximum Height (in first rounds) |
Maximum Height (in second round) |
British Novice |
0.90m (0.85m-junior) |
1.05m |
Discovery |
1.00m |
1.10m |
Newcomers |
1.10m (1.00m - junior) |
1.25m |
Members Cup |
1.00m and 1.10m (1.10m - junior) |
1.15m |
Foxhunter |
1.30m |
After this the heights can just go up and up (and get wider too)!
Additional Information re Classes
British Novice : Horses to have won less than £100.00
Discovery : Horses to have won less that £175.00
Newcomers : Horses to have won less than £300.00
Foxhunter : Horses to have won less than £500.00
Members Cup: These are classes aimed at the less experienced who have a "schoolmaster" horse i.e one that has already won competitions.
There are two categories.
The qualification for national competitions is to achieve 4 double clear rounds within a 12 month span running from 31st May to 1st June of the following year. The BSJA notifies you of achievement and advises you of the forthcoming venues and dates for further qualification.
International Shows
These are classified as follows:
CSI-W |
A show that holds World Cup qualifying classes |
CSI-A/B/C |
Shows in which riders compete on an individual basis. |
CSI-V |
This is for veteran riders: |
FEI GANDHINI WORLD RANKINGS
This is calculated over a period running from 1st January to 31st December each year.
On the 1st January the points a rider had as at 31st December of the previous year is carried over to be the starting point for the new year. At each subsequent month end the total number of points a rider earns is added to that total, but the points earned in the corresponding month of the previous year are dropped. There is a system of apportionment relating to points earned at events that are held bi-annually or every four years.
Competitions are categorised into 6 groups (A-F)depending on their level with the scale of points differing between the groups. The scoring systems also varies depending upon whether it is a team or individual competition or a championship event so, for example, Superleague and Nations Cup rounds all count. Certain events are excluded from accumulating points such as Puissance classes.
There is no limit to the number of competitions a rider may participate in.
THE WORLD CUP
The Rules and Regulations are pretty complex but basically - the World Cup competition, usually jumped indoors, runs from October to April. Because of logistics there are 13 Leagues covering the globe, there then being an overall Final comprising the best placed riders from each League.
The Leagues are:
Western European
Pacific - New Zealand
Central European
South East Asia
USA - West Coast
Central Asia
USA - East Coast
Japan
Canada
South Africa
South America
Arabia
Pacific - Australia
THE SUPER LEAGUE
The Super League consists of 8 international shows at which teams of 4 selected riders from 5 nominationsparticipate. 8 of the leading showjumping nations are represented.
The competion has two rounds but should there be an equal number of points after this, then one rider from each of the similar positioned teams jump a further round.
Points are apportioned thus:
1st - 10 points (doubled to 20 at last event)
2nd - 7 points (doubled to 14)
3rd - 5 points (doubled to 10)
4th -4 (doubled to 8)
5th - 3 (doubled to 6)
6th - 2 (soubled to 4)
7th - 1 (dobled to 2)
8th - 0.5 (doubled to 1)
The Nations Cup Series of competitions is also run by Samsung but the format is different. These two competitions are independent of the FEI World Cup League competitions.
Show Jumping Links
British Show Jumping Association
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