Hampton Classic in September 2006

The Grand Prix is the highest level of show jumping. Run under FEI rules, the horse jumps a course of 10-16 obstacles. Grand Prix-level show jumping competitions include the Olympics, the World Equestrian Games, the World Cup Series and the Nations Cup Series. It is designed to test the stamina, precision, power, and control of both horse and rider. The courses usually include tight twists and turns, very high and colorful fences designed to test those riding them. It takes a great amount of training and conditioning to get both horse and rider prepared for such an event. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3025x1890, 857 KB) Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, New York. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3025x1890, 857 KB) Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, New York. ... Hampton Classic in September 2006 The Hampton Classic Horse Show (generally referred to as the Hampton Classic) is a Grand Prix show jumping horse show in Bridgehampton, New York that is one of the biggest show jumping contests in the United States. ... Show jumping is a form of competition in which horses are jumped over a course of fences, low walls, and other obstacles (e. ... The Fédération Equestre Internationale (commonly known as the FEI, or informally in English as the International Equestrian Federation) is the international governing body of equestrian (horse) sports. ...

Top shows can be found all around the country, where top horses and riders face off time and time again. Some of the major shows of the Grand Prix jumping season include the Wellington Winter Equiestrain Festival, the Devon Horse Show, in Pennsylvania, the Washington Horse Show, and the National Horse Show. What is the object of each competitor of these shows? The object of this sport is simply to ride the fastest course with the least amount of faults. The course is timed, and, if the horse and rider knock down a rail, faults are given. If multiple horses and riders have a 'clear round,' meaning they had no faults, they will show back in the jump off, against others who scored the same. The jump off will be judged similarly. This is no easy task, seeing as obstacles are raised for the jump off from their original towering height. Many horses have achieved incredible feats and added their name to a list of incredible Grand Prix jumpers. These include Abdullah, Baloubet du Rouet, Boomerang, Dobels Cento, Galoubet A, Grannis, Halla, Heartbreaker, Monopoly, Nimmerdor, Ramiro Z, Robinson, Snowball, Snowman, Stroller, Milton, Gem Twist, Royal Kaliber, and Big Ben. Up-and-coming Grand Prix horses who have already started making a name for themselves include Goldika, Roxana, Madison, Capitano, and Luara Chapot's Little Big Man. Truly, Grand Prix jumping is a demanding sport for both horse and rider, and tests the strength of each pair to the maximum. Abdullah was a horse ridden by Conrad Homfeld. ... Baloubet du Rouet is a horse ridden by the Brazilian show jumper Rodrigo Pessoa. ... Boomerang was a horse ridden by Eddie Macken. ... Dobels Cento was a horse who competed in Grand Prix show jumping competitions. ... Galoubet A (1972 - 2005) was a horse ridden by the French rider Gilles-Bertran de Ballanda, in International Show Jumping and is a sire of show jumpers. ... Halla (May 16, 1945 - May 19, 1979) was a horse ridden by Hans-Günter Winkler. ... Robinson is a horse ridden by the American show jumper Richard Spooner. ... Snowman was a rescued horse that went on to compete successfully in show jumping. ... Stroller the only pony to compete at the Olympics in Show Jumping. ... Milton was a horse who, under rider John Whitaker, won many international events in show jumping. ... Gem Twist Was the most famous of all showjumping horses. ... Royal Kaliber was a horse that competed at the Grand Prix level of show jumping, and was part of the United States Show Jumping Team at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. ... Big Ben (April 20, 1976 – December 11, 1999) was a world champion show jumping horse. ...

Jump Size

The height of the jumps found in these grand prix competitions go as high as 5 feet, 3 inches,and go as wide as 6 feet.

Grand Prix Show Jumping-The History in a Nutshell

The sport of Show Jumping was derived during the development of fox hunting, while Grand Prix Show Jumping began in Paris, France in 1866. It was created to enable owners to exhibit their horses' abilities in a more confined arena,as opposed to the fox hunting fields. As show jumping usually takes place in a small arena, or stadium (hence,some have coined it 'stadium jumping') and is almost always against a clock,the horse in question must show flexibility, manueverability,and extreme jumping proficiency. It became officially recognized as an olympic sport in 1912.

A quote from the official olympics website(www.olympic.org)

"Modern jumping events are based on the foxhunting tradition. Hunting enthusiasts in Britain and America sought ways to test the talents of their horses more systematically. Jumping competitions for horses were first organised in the 19th century in Ireland by the Royal Dublin Society. Modern jumping techniques were developed by the Italian Federico Caprilli, who is considered the "father of modern riding.""

The Olympic History of Show Jumping

A quote from the official olympics website(www.olympic.org)

"Equestrian events have been on the Olympic programme since 1900, when jumping events were held during the Olympics in Paris. However, equestrian events were not held again until 1912 in Stockholm. Since that year, the sport has always been on the Olympic programme. The programme has remained remarkably constant. In 1900, a high jump and long jump for horses was held for the first and only time. Jumping consists of negotiating a series of obstacles with the goal being not to disturb the fences. Prior to 1952, equestrian sport during the Olympics were contested by men only. In fact, the riders had to be military athletes. More specifically, they had to be commissioned officers. Beginning in 1952, these restrictions were lifted, and since 1952, men and women have competed against each other in the equestrian events."

Current Leading Countries' Equestrian Teams

A few of the leading countries in the equestrian world and a couple reasons why; 1)Germany-Selective breeding, advanced tecniques 2)France-Same reasons 3)Australia-Good tecniques,tons of heart 4)U.S.A.-Good tecniques,bonded with their horses

These are slightly opinionated,but they are widely acknowledged opinions.

Leading Breeds of the Sport

Certain horses are just bred to be better at jumping. Here are a few examples.

• Selle Francais
• Any Kind of Warmblood,particularly German and Dutch
• Thoroughbred or Thoroughbred Crosses
• Arabian crosses(Pure arabians aren't that great,but with the right cross,it can be a great source of fire and energy in the foal)
• Anglo-Arab(Sort of the same thing as a Thoroughbred and arabian cross,although it is officially recognized as a seperate breed.)

Again,these are widely acknowledged opions.