About:  Show Terminology

Clean/Clear Round
When the horse completes the jumper course within the time allowed without incurring jumping faults. When more than one horse has a "clean round" a jump-off is held to determine the winner.

Dressage
Often referred to as equine ballet because of its beauty and elegance, dressage represents the highest level of training a horse can achieve. Movements such as piaffe, passage and half-pass take years to perfect. Like show jumping and three-day eventing, dressage is an Olympic sport.

Equitation
In equitation classes the ability of the rider, not the horse, is judged. The rider must demonstrate correct form and skill to perform the required test over fences or on the flat, in a smooth, controlled, and accurate manner.

Riders are classified according to their age and previous winnings. Equitation classes are graded, with entrants restricted by previous winnings. The sequence from easiest to most difficult is:  lead line, short stirrup, maiden, novice, limit, intermediate, and open.

Among the most advanced open equitation events are the good hands saddle seat championship and the ASPCA Maclay hunter seat championship.

Fault
Penalty assessed in jumper classes for knockdowns, refusals, and exceeding the time allowed. Time limit or "time allowed" is the specific time allotted to complete the course.

"Time faults" are assigned for each second over the time allowed. All horses with clean rounds return for a jump-off, or in a "power and speed" class, proceed to the "speed" portion of the course.

In all jumper classes, falls and going "off course" (jumping the jumps out of order) result in elimination.

Faults are scored as follows:

• 1st refusal = 3 faults;
• 2nd refusal = 6 faults;
• 3rd refusal = elimination;
• fall of a horse or rider = elimination;
• exceeding the time allowed = 1/4 fault for every second;
• exceeding the time allowed in jump-off = 1 fault for every second;
• failure to cross starting line within one minute of sound of horn = elimination;
• knockdowns = 4 faults.

Green
An inexperienced or young horse. A green hunter is in its first or second year of showing over obstacles 3'6" or higher.

Hunter
Hunters are judged on the style in which they negotiate obstacles. They should display jumping ability, manners, style, an even pace, and quality. They are generally thoroughbreds or part thoroughbreds and originally were meant to represent the type of horse that provides a safe and pleasant ride on a foxhunt.

Show hunters jump naturally styled fences simulating obstacles that might be encountered in the hunting fields. Both "working" and "conformation" hunters are judged on their ability and performance; however, the conformation hunter is also judged on its physical attributes. Green hunters are in their first or second year of showing. Pony hunters are 14.2 hands or smaller, and are judged on the same criteria as other hunters.

Hunter classes are divided by age and experience (junior, children's and amateur); size of pony (small, medium and large); or experience of the horse (green, first year, second year, regular).

Hand
The measurement standard for horses and ponies. A hand is equivalent to 4". A horse/pony measurement is taken from the ground to the top of the withers (the bone at the base of the neck).

Jumper
Jumpers are judged solely on their ability to jump. They can be any breed or size. Style does not count. Competitions are purely an athletic test of speed and strength.

Jumper courses require technical accuracy on the part of the rider and obedience on the part of the horse. A course has about 16 obstacles ranging in height from 3'6" to 5' or more with spreads of up to 6', depending upon the division.

Preliminary, intermediate, and open jumpers are classified by the amount of prize money they have won; they may be ridden by amateurs, juniors, or professionals. Amateur owner jumpers must be ridden by amateur owners only. Junior jumpers must be ridden by riders under the age of 18. After each performance the announcer reads out the number of jumping and time faults.

Jumping Order
The jumping order or "order of go" is determined in a drawing before the class so that each competitor has an equal chance of attaining a favorable starting position. Riders near the end of the starting order have the advantage of seeing how the first riders complete the course.

Jump-Off
All horses with clean first rounds jump a shortened course against the clock to determine the winner.

Jumps
The degree of difficulty of a jump is determined by its height, width, construction, and its placement in relationship to other jumps on the course. Generally, all jumps can be divided into two main categories:  straight or vertical fences and spread (wide) fences called oxers.

Types of oxers include square parallel, ascending, and Swedish oxers. A "triple bar" is composed of three fences that a horse must clear in one leap. This tests the horse's ability to jump both height and width. Combinations or "in and outs" are a series of jumps, usually two or three in a row, set to challenge a horse's ability to jump successfully after one or two strides.

The construction of a fence also determines its difficulty. A jump that is composed of just a few rails, for example, appears airy; however, this fence is more difficult for a horse to negotiate than a solid-looking fence.

Junior
A rider under 18 years of age.

Side Saddle
The style of riding for women until the early 1900s. In side saddle riding, a woman has both legs on the left side of the horse, with the right knee crooked over a specially designed hook on the saddle. Side saddle attire includes a jacket, long skirt, hat and veil.

Stride
The amount of ground covered by a horse in one "step" at the cantor.

USA Equestrian, Inc.
The national federation and sanctioning body that governs equestrian sport competition in the United States.

Walking the Course
Riders and horses may not practice on a course prior to competition, but they are permitted to walk out the route, pacing off the number of strides between jumps and examining the obstacles closely.