Jumpers, unlike hunters, are scored, not judged.

All that truly matters in jumper competition is that the horse gets over the jumps without knocking them down. How, or how pretty, the horse looks while going over the jump, in no way affects his score. Jumpers start with zero faults and penalties are added to their score as they proceed over the course.

The various jumper classes all use the same scoring system, four faults for knocking down a rail, etc., but many of the classes are run under different rules. In a faults converted class, for instance, the faults or knockdowns are converted into seconds and added to the horse's overall time on course. In grand prix event faults separate the placings and the fastest time breaks a tie for first place. Specific rules for each jumper class are outlined in the program on each class page.

Grand prix show jumping, the highest level of show jumping, is fast becoming an important spectator sport in the United States. In Europe show jumping is second only to soccer in popularity and European and grand prix events are widely televised. At the grand prix level, the fences the horse and riders jump are very large, up to 5'3" in height and five to six feet in width. Ultimately, grand prix horses must be able to negotiate these large fences both "cleanly," without knocking them down, and quickly, as the fastest time over the course often decides the winner.

Show jumping is one of the few sports where men and women compete as equals, with the riders coming from all walks of life. Grand Prix level riders range in age from 16 to 60.

Often, a rider will compete on more than one horse in a grand prix event. This requires extraordinary riding ability as each horse has different characteristics and temperament and the rider must adjust accordingly.

The goal of many riders is to compete as a member of the United States Equestrian Team and ultimately in the Olympics.

The Horses

Around the world, horses are bred to jump. With the great element of chance involved in jumping, only time will tell whether or not hereditary and bloodlines are an essential part of a good jumper. At Upperville, many breeds are represented in the jumper competitions. European-bred horses, such as the French-bred animals, i.e. the Selle Francais, the German Hanoverians and Holsteiners are popular show jumper choices among both North Americans and Europeans. Dutchbreds, known as Dutch Warm-bloods are also represented as are Irish-breds. The European horses, which are generally larger and heavier than most American breeds, are bred both in Europe and in this country specially to be used as sport horses, or riding horses. The warmbloods are a cross between Thoroughbred (or blood horses) and Draft horses.

In the United States, many jumpers are Thoroughbreds, the breed best known for flat racing in this country. Thoroughbreds that jump generally have not met the specific qualifications of the racetrack or have finished their racing careers. American Quarter Horses and Appaloosas often make successful show jumpers as well.

Grand prix level horses are the most talented jumpers in the show world. A successful grand prix horse often has a price tag of $500,000 or more. Young prospects arc usually broken to ride at two or three years of age and after training and experience over fences, make it to the jumper show rings. A horse could make it to the grand prix ring at the relatively early age of six or seven years, and continue to compete through its late teens. Horses generally live well into their 20's and sometimes 30's.

The Starting Order

The starting order, or the line-up, is determined by a drawing before the event, giving each rider an equal chance of attaining a favorable position. In the Budweiser Upperville Jumper Classic, there will be one initial round. In the event of equality of penalties for first place, there will be one jump-off against the clock. Remaining competitors are placed according to their penalties in the initial course. Riders going "late in the order" have the advantage of seeing how the first riders complete the course.

Grand Prix show jumping is fast and exciting. It's dangerous, too. Spills, near spills, penalties and the time clock make it a thrilling spectator sport.

Walking the Course

Before any jumper event, riders are allowed to walk the course to inspect fences and pace off the distances between fences. The horse has no opportunity to school, or practice, over the course before the event begins. Each rider knows the length of his or her horse's stride (the rate and distance that the horse covers the ground) and walks the course accordingly. The riders pace off the distances between fences and determine how best to adjust their own horse's strides. When participating in the course walk, riders also take note of the "footing" or condition of the ground and any other potential problem areas. Furthermore, they plan their track. Should they make the jump-off or tie-breaking round, they'll have a plan which will save vital time when jumping against the clock.

Tack

Equipment used on or for horses is called tack. The tack worn by the horse depends on the needs of the animal. The saddle and bridle are the staples. Other equipment may be added. Braiding the mane and tail in jumper competition is optional.

The Course Designer

The course designer is an extremely important contributor to the horse show. The course, or route, in which the riders must take their horses over the jumps is planned to the most minute detail ahead of time by the course designer. Using his or her judgment or experience, the course designer sets a course that both tests the entries, yet encourages future good jumping from the horses. The objective is to build a course hard enough, by using height, width, types of fences and related distances, so the best horses and most prepared riders are separated out. The designer has done an excellent job when only six or eight horses' are able to jump the first round without penalty.

The Course

The course, or set of obstacles in which the horse and rider must negotiate, is a test that makes specific demands on timing, judgment and jumping ability. No two courses are ever exactly the same and usually there are 12 to 18 fences on a grand prix course.

Several different types of fences and different colors are used but nearly all fences fall within five categories.

Vertical - Vertical fences are the jumps with rails placed one above the other in the same plane.

Oxer - An oxer or spread fence consists of two parallel sets of rails with the back rail set at an equal or greater height than the front rail.

Triple-Bar - A triple bar is a variation of an oxer, but with three sets of standards. (Standards are the end pieces of the jump that hold up the rails or poles.) The rails are set in graduating heights to make a stair-step effect. This jump is relatively easy for the horse to jump although triple bars are often built very wide, increasing the difficulty.

Wall - Walls are solid jumps that simulate actual brick or stone walls.

Water Jump - This wide, yet hollow jump, asks the horse to jump long and stretch over the water which is usually 10 to 16 feet wide. A low hedge of fence usually marks the take-off point and the horse must jump completely to the other side of the water and beyond the boundary "tape" to complete the obstacle without penalty. A LIVERPOOL is a smaller variation of a water jump and filled with water that is distracting to the horse. Liverpools are generally four to six feet wide.

Combination - Any combination of the above jumps set one or two strides apart is called a Combination. Each jump or part of the combination is called an element. If the horse has a refusal at any one of the elements in a double or triple combination, the riders must negotiate the whole combination again, re-jumping all the jumps

Scoring

Although there are variations between different events or classes, generally in grand prix show jumping the goal is to negotiate the first round course within the specified time allowed without incurring penalties. Penalties are assessed when a horse either knocks down a rail (lowering the height of the fence); refuses to jump (disobedience) or exceeds the time allowed. The horses that negotiate the first (or preliminary) round(s) without faults advance to the timed jump-off round.

Penalties

First disobedience (refusal to jump the fence)	3 faults
Second disobedience	6 faults
Third disobedience	Elimination
Knockdown (The horse dislodges a rail of he jump with legs, which results in a lowering in the height of the fence. The horse is scored 4 faults for each fence he lowers in height, regardless of how many rails fall down at any one fence.)	4 faults
Foot in the Water	4 faults
Exceeding the time allowed to complete the course	1/4 fault for each second over time allowed

The Upperville Jumper Classic

At Upperville, the grand prix highlight is the Upperville Jumper Classic. During this prestigious event, each competitor will jump one round. In the event of equality of penalties, for first place only, there will be one jump off in which time will decide. The fastest horse, with the fewest penalties, will be named the winner of this spectacular event, which is a true test of skill and stamina, for both horse and rider.