What are the most common terms used in Show Jumping?
Below is a glossary of essential show jumping terminology to help riders, spectators, and equestrian enthusiasts understand the sport better:
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Oxer – A jump made of two vertical fences placed closely together, creating a spread obstacle.
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Vertical – A single upright jump with no width.
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Combination – Two or more jumps placed close together, meant to be jumped in a specific sequence.
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Triple Bar – A spread fence with three rails at increasing heights.
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Striding – The number of horse strides between two fences.
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Rollback Turn – A tight turn after a jump that leads quickly to the next obstacle.
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Related Distance – A specific number of strides expected between two jumps.
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Joker Fence – A high-risk fence, often more difficult, used in jump-offs or speed rounds.
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Gridwork – Training setup using multiple fences or poles in a row to develop rhythm and balance.
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Clear Round – A round completed without any faults or penalties.
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Fault – A penalty point, usually 4, for knocking down a pole or refusing a jump.
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Refusal – When a horse stops in front of a jump instead of clearing it.
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Run-out – When a horse veers sideways and avoids the jump.
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Time Fault – A penalty for exceeding the allowed time for the course.
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Jump-off – A timed tie-breaker round for riders with equal scores.
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Course Walk – The rider's opportunity to walk the course on foot and strategize before riding.
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Ground Line – A pole at the base of a jump to help horses judge their takeoff.
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Liverpole – A jump with water or a tray beneath it, used to test bravery.
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Approach – The rider’s path and rhythm heading into a jump.
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Distance – The takeoff point relative to the fence, crucial for clean jumps.
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Inside Turn – A tight turn on the inner side of a fence to save time.
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Outside Line – A line of jumps along the arena's outer perimeter.
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Stride – A complete cycle of movement in one step of the horse.
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Polework – Training exercises using ground poles to improve coordination.
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Paddock Boot – Short riding boots often worn with half chaps for training or warm-up.
