At the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Jumping competition will require horse and rider to navigate a short course with precision, speed and perfect technique.
Did you know?
A total of 200 athletes will compete for six gold medals in the sport of Equestrian during the 2012 Games.
Canada’s Ian Millar won silver in the Team Jumping at the Beijing 2008 Games. The 61-year-old athlete was the oldest medallist at the Beijing 2008 Games.
Obstacles on a Jumping course may include parallel rails, triple bars, water jumps and simulated stone walls.
Jumping was the first Equestrian discipline included at an Olympic Games.
Key facts
Venue:Greenwich Park Dates: Saturday 4 – Wednesday 8 August Medal events: 2 Athletes: 75
Commonly known as ‘showjumping’ in the UK, jumping as we know it today developed out of necessity. Until the 18th century, hunters were able to gallop across open fields in pursuit of foxes. But when fences were built in the English countryside during the process of enclosure, riders and horses needed to adapt – and Jumping was born.
The basics
The Jumping competition is a tense, exciting test of skill, speed and power. Held in an arena around a short course containing 12-14 fences, the event requires huge reserves of boldness, accuracy and nerves of steel – from both the riders and their horses. As with all three Equestrian disciplines on the Olympic programme, the competition features both Individual and Team events, and men and women compete against each other on equal terms.
There are a total of five rounds in the Jumping competition. Two of these rounds are used to determine the placings in the Team event, with all five rounds playing a part in the Individual event. If two or more rider/horse combinations are tied for medal places after the fifth and final round of the Individual event, there will be a jump-off to break the tie.
Olympic Jumping, past and present
Entry to the various Olympic Equestrian competitions was originally limited to members of the military. However, at the Helsinki Games of 1952, the competition was broadened to include civilian riders.
Along with the other Equestrian events at London 2012, the Jumping competition will be held in the beautiful surroundings of Greenwich Park. Dating back to 1433, it is the oldest Royal Park in London, part of the Maritime Greenwich area that has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Jargon buster
Clear round: A round without any faults.
Fault: Penalty points awarded for making a mistake: for instance, knocking down a jump or exceeding the allotted time.
Jump-off: If one or more riders are tied for first place after the final scheduled round, there may be an extra round of competition, known as a jump-off.
Refusal: When a horse stops at a jump, incurring faults.
Triple combination: Three fences in close proximity, with just a few steps between them.
At London 2012, Greenwich Park will host the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian competitions, plus the combined running and shooting event of the Modern Pentathlon.
Who
Name: John Whittaker Date of birth: 5 August 1955 Country: Huddersfield, Great Britain John is one of the most respected Show Jumpers worldwide and has won 14 team medals at Olympic, World or European championships in his long career. John was selected for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and travelled to the event, but had to withdraw when his horse Peppermill was injured. He comes from an extensive show jumping family, with his brother Michael, son Robert and niece Ellie all having competed.
Name: Ben Maher Date of birth: 30 January 1983 Country: Saffron Walden, Great Britain Ben was catapulted onto the international stage in 2008 making both his senior and Olympic debut at the Beijing games. In 2005, at the age of 22, Ben won the Hickstead Derby, making him the youngest rider in 30 years to have done so.
