Show jumping originates from hurdles and horse hunting, which were extremely popular in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 50s of the XIX century, at the Paris Equestrian Exhibition, the first official competition for overcoming various obstacles on horseback was organized.
These competitions gradually transformed into a separate kind of equestrian sport, which quickly spread in many countries of Europe and America. Starting from the second half of the 19th century, show jumping competitions were held in Belgium, Germany, the USA, and from 1889 in the Russian Empire. A little later, show jumping appeared in the British Isles, where it still remains one of the most difficult and honorable competitions.
The main task of the rider in classic show jumping is to overcome obstacles that are located on the field in a certain sequence with a minimum number of penalty points. The most common system of penalties is 4 points for breaking an obstacle or for disobeying a horse, and for the fall of a rider or horse, rider with a horse and 2 disobedience, as a rule, a disqualification is assigned. The passage of the route is limited by a clearly established time limit. Exceeding this norm is punishable by penalty points, which are awarded for each missed second.
Competitions are held in an arena or in an open fenced area of at least 60 x 40 meters. The modern program of the Olympic Games includes 2 types of show jumping competitions: individual championship for the Grand Olympic Prize and team competition for the Prize of Nations.
For the first time, show jumping was included in the Olympic program in 1900. At the II Olympic Games in Paris, the obstacles were overcome by riders from Belgium, Italy and France. Show jumping was not held at the next two Olympics in 1904 and 1908.
Until 1952, military cavalrymen were in the lead in personal and team competitions in this sport. At the Summer Olympics in Helsinki (1952), the first victory went to a civilian - Frenchman Pierre d'Oriola. Four years later, Englishwoman Patricia Smith became the first woman to receive a bronze medal in a team show jumping event. In the history of the Olympic Movement, there have been times when there have been no winners in team competitions. So, in 1932 in Los Angeles, the tests were so difficult that none of the teams managed to reach the finish line.
Since 1956, Germany has been the recognized leader in show jumping, winning three consecutive gold medals in the team event. German Hans Gunter Winkler became Olympic champion five times, receiving team or personal gold. In recent decades, Germany again claims to be the absolute leader.
Our show jumping competitors have shown a brilliant result at the Olympics only once. At the XXII Games in Moscow, Soviet athletes won team gold and personal silver.
