Show jumping is the most practiced discipline of equestrian sports today. Unquestionably the emblematic discipline of equestrian sports, show jumping should continue to enjoy great success in the 21st century, establishing itself as an authentic and very spectacular sport. Like other competitive equestrian disciplines, the best known of which are dressage, eventing, driving and endurance, show jumping is nowadays governed and regulated internationally by the International Equestrian Federation. In France, it is the French Equestrian Federation (F.F.E.) which has been supervising equestrian sports and competition disciplines since 1921.
Each year, official regulations are issued and set the conditions under which official show jumping competitions must be held. It is advisable to refer to them to know precisely the categories of show jumping competitions (C.S.O.), the type of events, the scale of penalties, the conditions of classification, the different kinds of authorized obstacles, but also the disciplinary sanctions.
The first show jumping competitions were organized in Ireland by the Dublin Horse Society in 1864, and even then, they were only high leap and wide leap events. In France, the first real horse shows took place around 1866 in Paris, on the initiative of the French Equestrian Society (S.H.F.) chaired by the Marquis de Momay. Then, from 1872, horse shows were held in the provinces: in Bordeaux, Nantes, Nancy, and Lille. But it was not until 1901 that the first show jumping event took place in Paris, at the Grand Palais, near the Champs-Elysées.
Very simply, there are official national show jumping competitions (CSO) and international competitions with ponies or horses in the following categories: children from 12 to 14 years old, young riders from 18 to 21 years old, and for seniors.
Photo: Second French rider to win a World Championship, Eric Navet mastered, with science and technique, the final with 4 riders by horse exchange in Stockholm in 1990, well helped by Quito de Baussy, young in experience but endowed with great generosity. Let us note that during the world championships, France achieved a historical performance since Hubert Bourdy with Morgat (E.N.E.) is 3′ in individual and that the French team, with as other teammates Roger-Yves Bost and Pierre Durand, is world champion. (Optipress, F. Chehu)
Show jumping: an Olympic discipline since 1921
Show jumping has the advantage of being one of the three equestrian disciplines in the official program of the Olympic Games, along with dressage and eventing. In each case, medals are awarded based on team and individual rankings in two separate events.
The show jumping competition (CSO) appeared for the first time in the program of the Olympic Games in 1912 in Stockholm where a Frenchman became famous by winning the individual competition: it was the captain, Jean Cariou.
Since then, the tradition wants that it is the individual event of show jumping (CSO) which closes each Olympiad. Unfortunately, since Seoul in 1988, this competition which took place until then in the Olympic stadium, thus contributing to make even more popular this discipline and the equitation in general, is since presented on secondary grounds.
National championships are held annually in all countries with a national federal body attached to the International Equestrian Federation.
Among the major international events, we find the Indoor World Cup held every year, continental championships (European, Pan-American, Pan-Arab, Asian) held every two years and World Championships held every four years, alternating with the Olympic Games. Also at the international level, team competitions are held every year in the official show jumping competitions (C.S.I.O.). They give rise to a world classification by nation called Nations Trophy.
Since its creation in 1965, France has won this coveted trophy 7 times (in 1980, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1995 and 1999). Our national team was also once Olympic champion in 1976 in Montreal, twice world champion in Dublin in 1982 and in Stockholm in 1990.
As individuals, since the Second World War, four riders have distinguished themselves by becoming Olympic champions: Pierre Jonquères d’Oriola, twice in 1952 in Helsinki with Ali Baba and in 1964 in Tokyo with Lutteur B and Pierre Durand in Seoul, with Jappeloup in 1988. France can also be proud of two world champions: still Pierre Jonquères d’Oriola in 1966 in Buenos Aires with Pomone B and Eric Navet in Stockholm in 1990 with Quito de Baussy, of three European champions: Pierre Durand in Saint-Gall in 1987 with his faithful Jappeloup, Eric Navet in La Baule in 1991, again with Quito de Baussy, and the first rider to have won this title: Alexandra Ledermann with Rochet M. in 1999 at Hickstead.
Show jumping (CSO): constantly evolving courses and equestrian techniques
The courses are made up of about ten free and mobile obstacles, on a ground not exceeding 200 meters by 150 meters for the largest and most illustrious, that of Aachen in Germany. A distinction is made between outdoor and indoor competitions.
There are all kinds of events, most of which fall into three main categories: speed events, the most characteristic of which is the chase course, power events, usually with a wall, and classic events with the stopwatch, which is the main event in every show jumping competition, i.e., the Grand Prix.
However, in all these events and wherever they take place – outdoors on grass or sand and indoors on a field of sand or wood shavings – the obstacles to be overcome are of two kinds. We find the wide ones – oxer, spa or any obstacle built on two planes at least – and the vertical ones – stationata, barrier, wall, built on one plane. Natural obstacles, fords, rivers, embankments, mounds, ditches, are scattered throughout certain courses and are frequently found in events such as derbies or hunting courses.
The physiognomy of the courses has changed a lot since the beginning of horse show jumping. From very natural designs, the difficulties of the courses have become – thanks to the imagination of the ringmasters – more and more sophisticated with an architecture, very sought-after colors of obstacles, original designs of courses and successions of obstacles closer together, at almost imposed distances, fixing a precise number of strides of the horse and especially times allowed to complete the courses, calculated to the shortest. However, there is one constant in all the courses, the combinations of one or two strides called double, triple or even quadruple, depending on the number of obstacles to jump.
How to progress in show jumping (CSO)?
In order to avoid all the pitfalls of contemporary show jumping and in particular to respect the obligation to execute them ever more quickly, a trend which is likely to become even more pronounced, it is necessary, in order not to make any mistakes and to achieve the objective of a clear round, for the rider and his horse to be in perfect harmony with each other, based on solid training and a real complicity.
In this individual discipline, the notion of “horse and rider” prevails. The high technicality of the courses also requires, on the part of the rider, equestrian tact, precision, and mental strength. Among the qualities required for a good C.S.O. horse, the most decisive are a good receptivity to work, an energetic relaxation, a great propulsion force and a natural respect of the obstacle.
The goal of any competition is to win. But this desire to triumph over adversity by emerging victorious often leads to impatience, to wanting everything right away. However, in equestrian sports and in the discipline of show jumping, your horse must become a partner who wears your colors and adheres to your ambitions. This can only be done with time and a strong will. Thus, it becomes imperative to respect the horses and not to ask them for immediate perfection.
With the young horse, be patient and lead its progression according to a wise career plan. Whether it is for the purpose of sporting performance or for showmanship, you will always benefit from not rushing things to better lay the foundations for a good dialogue through dressage. Satisfying this requirement is the condition of success.
Daring to take time means knowing how to make champion horses grow, without forcing their destiny. It also means satisfying one’s quest for victory with pleasure.
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