The term Grand Prix means ‘greatest prize or richest’ and comes from the French.  Grand Prix show jumping was born in Paris in 1866 and the word is often used in sport to designate the most challenging or sophisticated level of competition.

Show jumping at its highest level is not for the faint hearted.  It has been described as a combination of downhill skiing and horse racing with horse and rider hitting high rates of speed between the jumps.

Show Jumping is the second most popular and watched on television sport in England.  The most popular is soccer.  It has a similar following throughout Europe.  In America it has seen a remarkable growth in popularity over the last decade.  The bronze individual medal performance at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the silver team medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, along with the team and individual gold medals won at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 has really put the sport into the spotlight. 

Show Jumping is easy to understand.  The challenge is simple, that is to jump 12 - 20 obstacles.

Penalty points (known as faults) are added if a horse should fall, refuse or knock down any part of the jump.  They are disqualified if the rider falls off.  It is the riders responsibility to guide their horse through the course at the right angle, speed and spacing to clear the fences without incurring faults.  The jumpers hit high rates of speed between the jumps and the heights of the jumps vary from anywhere from 5′3″ to 6″.

A rider who rides to fast risks knocking down fences, whereas the rider who places their horse carefully and slowly around the course may do a clear round but risk time faults as they have not completed the course in the time allowed.

The winner is the horse and rider with the least faults and the quickest time.