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Equestrian Jumping in the London Olympics 2012

Equestrian – Jumping
At the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Show Jumping competition will require horse and rider to navigate a short course with precision, speed and perfect technique.

Key Equestrian Show Jumping facts

 Venue: Greenwich Park
Dates: Saturday 4 – Thursday 9 August
Medal events:  2
Athletes: 75
Commonly known as ‘show jumping’ in the UK, jumping as we know it today developed out of necessity. Until the 18th century, hunters were able to gallop across open fields in pursuit of foxes. But when fences were built in the English countryside during the process of enclosure, riders and horses needed to adapt – and Jumping was born.

Interesting Equestrian Show Jumping  & Olympics

Vignettes

A total of 200 athletes will compete for six gold medals in the sport of Equestrian during the 2012 Games.

Canada’s Ian Millar won silver in the Team Jumping at the Beijing 2008 Games. The 61-year-old athlete was the oldest medallist at the Beijing 2008 Games.

Obstacles on a Jumping course may include parallel rails, triple bars, water jumps and simulated stone walls.

Jumping was the first Equestrian discipline included at an Olympic Games.

Interesting Equestrian Show Jumping Facts

The Show Jumping or jumping competition is a tense, exciting test of skill, speed and power. Held in an arena around a short course containing 12-14 fences, the event requires huge reserves of boldness, accuracy and nerves of steel – from both the riders and their horses. As with all three Equestrian disciplines on the Olympic programme, the competition features both Individual and Team events, and men and women compete against each other on equal terms.

There are a total of five rounds in the Jumping competition. Two of these rounds are used to determine the placings in the Team event, with all five rounds playing a part in the Individual event. If two or more rider/horse combinations are tied for medal places after the fifth and final round of the Individual event, there will be a jump-off to break the tie.

Entry to the various Olympic Equestrian competitions was originally limited to members of the military. However, at the Helsinki Games of 1952, the competition was broadened to include civilian riders.

Along with the other Equestrian events at London 2012, the Jumping competition will be held in the beautiful surroundings of Greenwich Park. Dating back to 1433, it’s the oldest Royal Park in London, part of the Maritime Greenwich area that has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

• Clear round: A round without any faults.
• Fault: Penalty points awarded for making a mistake: for instance, knocking down a jump or exceeding the allotted time. 
• Jump-off: If one or more riders are tied for first place after the final scheduled round, there may be an extra round of competition, known as a jump-off.
• Refusal: When a horse stops at a jump, incurring faults. 
• Triple combination: Three fences in close proximity, with just a few steps between them.

Information on the London Olympics & Paralympics 2012