Two horse sports have become increasingly popular in recent years with show jumping and eventing both growing in popularity. Show jumping and eventing are both based around the rider and horse working together to navigate a course of jumps through which they must perform to successfully complete the course. However, they differ in both their formats and objectives. Both sports are highly competitive and both require a high level of skill from both rider and horse. In this post we explain what is the difference between eventing and show jumping and when you should choose one over the other.
Show Jumping
Show jumping is an Olympic sporting event that dates back to at least the 19th century. It is a highly competitive equestrian event that is primarily contested by horse riders who compete in either the individual or team events. At an official show, competitors attempt to jump a course of fences in a specific order to win the event. The course consists of two types of fences: vertical and combination. Vertical fences are jumped in order and must be completed in a specific manner to be successful. A combination fence consists of two or more verticals that must be jumped one after another in a particular order.The main difference between show jumping and eventing is the type of fences used in the course. Show jumping uses vertical and combination fences, whereas eventing uses natural and artificial fences. Artificial fences are made of metal or wood and look very real. Natural fences are made of trees, shrubs and other plants.
Eventing
This is a relatively new equestrian event compared to show jumping. It was first held at the Olympic Games in 2016 and is the only horse event that has changed its rules since the Olympics were first awarded to London in 1909. In the early 1900s, eventing was primarily a competition to hunt or jump from a horse with both rider and horse competing together. The rules of the event changed over the years with the introduction of new disciplines, including dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country, as well as several changes to how the event was held.
What are the differences between the two disciplines?
There are a number of differences between show jumping and eventing that set them apart as two very different sports. Here we explain what these differences are so that you can decide which discipline is right for you.
Jumping
Show jumping is also known as horse jumping, or just jumping. In show jumping, competitors ride a course of fences and attempt to jump them as high as possible. The fences are set up in a specific order to create a course that competitors must successfully complete to win the event. While jumping fences is the core of show jumping, competitors can also earn points for the skill and style they use. The rider and horse must perform a combination of dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country skills in order to complete the course.
Jump-shoeing/Turning
In show jumping, you can earn extra points for “shoeing” or “turning.” These terms describe when a horse must change directions; for example, a course may have two fences, one in each direction. This type of course is called a “shoed” course. A horse must perform a “turn” to jump the second fence from the opposite direction. This is called a “backwards jump.” Turning is done by either riding with your horse’s head in the wrong direction or by turning the horse’s body. In both cases, the horse must be sensitive to the rider’s cues. Turning is not just for show jumping; it is often used in cross-country courses or other multi-purpose disciplines.
The art of dressage
Dressage is an important part of both show jumping and eventing, but there is a difference in how it is used in each sport. In show jumping, the rider can perform tricks with their horse to earn points. While in eventing, the rider must perform a series of ground exercises in the correct manner to earn points. In eventing, the rider and horse work together in the ring to perform the movements that are required to achieve success. For example, in a stadium jumping course, the rider may start the course with both horse and rider facing one way, and as they approach a jump, they must turn the horse and jump the fence facing the other way.
The rules of the game
The rules of each sport are different, but both require a high level of skill from the rider and horse. Both sports are highly competitive, with the best competitors earning a place on the Olympic or World Championship teams. In both sports, there are many different events that are contested at different levels, from local events to the Olympics. In show jumping, there are three phases. In the first phase, the competitors go through a warm-up and then perform the course once before the competition starts. During the second phase, competitors go through a second course without recording their score. During the third phase, competitors go through a second course again and their score is recorded. In eventing, there are two phases. In the first phase, the competitors go through a warm-up and then perform the course once. In the second phase, the competitors go through the same course again but this time must record their score.
Which discipline is best for you?
There are many factors that you should consider when deciding which discipline is best for you. Here we explain some of the key differences between show jumping and eventing so that you can decide which discipline is right for you.