Showjumping

Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz, part of the winning Irish Aga Khan team, in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup at the 2022 Longines FEI Dublin Horse Show, RDS. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Show jumping is one of the Olympic equestrian sports. It consists of a horse and rider combination jumping around a course of fences, set to a particular height, within the time allowed. Penalties are incurred in a horse knocks a jump or refuses. Penalties are also incurred in you exceed the time allowed.

There are various types of competitions, including team and individual. Often the final round of a competition is decided by a ‘jump-off’, this is when the fastest clear round is deemed the winner.  A very popular competition is the Puissance where riders attempt to jump a wall that gets progressively higher after each round.

National competitions take place around Ireland with classes of courses of various heights, usually progressing in 5cm or 10cm increases. The technical skills required also tend to increase with the increase in the height of the fences.

International Shows are overseen by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and are graded according to the height of the fences, technical skill required and the level of prize money on offer. The highest level show is a CSI5* competition. Ireland hosts various international competitions throughout the year, details of which can be found on the Showjumping Ireland website. The RDS Dublin Horse Show is the only CSI5* competition which takes place in Ireland.

National Show Jumping

Show jumping is administered in Ireland by the Show Jumping Association of Ireland. To find out more about getting involved in show jumping at national level contact Showjumping Ireland or visit the SJI Website for more information.

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