Show Jumping

Show jumping is the art of not falling off your horse as they jump a fence, and it's a hugely popular equestrian discipline that takes place all over the world.
Show jumping became a spectacle to be watched and admired as far back as the 19th century when private jumping matches to settle wagers evolved into public competitions. When it officially became a sport, jumping was usually a contest to see how high and how wide a horse could leap. Nowadays, it is a highly skilled discipline that tests both horse and rider over a course of challenging obstacles.
In 1900, showjumping made its Olympic debut in Paris, and today there are thousands of amateur and professional competitions consuming people's weekends all over the world. Saying that, the sport appears to be most popular in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe.

Image by Tesa Robbins from Pixabay
At the elite level, showjumping competitions are governed by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), which regulates and oversees international equestrian competitions, such as the FEI World Cup Jumping and the Olympic Games.
Additionally, there are numerous national and regional showjumping competitions that serve as stepping stones for riders aspiring to compete at higher levels.
Starting with poles only slightly raised off the ground, jumps at Grand Prix level can reach dizzy heights of 1.6m and a width of 2m.

Image by Ian Dunlop from Pixabay
The goal is to complete the course without knocking down any rails or incurring time penalties. It’s a discipline that requires bravery, precision, skill, agility, and an expert control of the horse's strides and speed.
There are many governing bodies all over the world that regulate and manage showjumping, so if you want to know more, take a look at www.fei.org and www.britishequestrian.org.uk.