Show jumping is a fast-paced sport, but the judging process might seem complicated if you’re new to it. Riders and horses are evaluated based on a few key criteria, including faults, time, and tie-breaking rounds. Here’s a quick overview of how judges score each performance.


Faults: What They Are and How They’re Scored
In show jumping, faults are the primary way riders lose points. A fault happens when a horse knocks down part of an obstacle or refuses to jump. Each fault adds four penalty points to the rider’s score. If a horse refuses twice at the same obstacle, the rider is eliminated from the round.


Time: The Clock Matters
Time is another important factor in show jumping. Each course has a “time allowed,” and riders must complete the course within this limit. Going over the allowed time results in time penalties, which are added to the total score. Riders who finish the course with no faults and within the time limit have a better chance of winning.


Jump-Off: Resolving Ties
When multiple riders complete the course with the same score, a jump-off is held. The jump-off is a shortened course where speed is critical. The rider who finishes the fastest with the fewest faults wins the tie-breaker.
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For a deeper dive into the judging criteria, check out this guide on decoding the judging criteria in show jumping competitions. Knowing how the scoring works makes the sport even more thrilling to watch!