Open Jumping
A. Open Jumping may be run at a separate location and
concurrently with other classes. The Show Committee or
judge may designate a qualified person(s) over the age of
18 to judge the jumping classes. Judges cards MUST be
signed by the person judging the class. Two judges are
required for jumping at a Pony Rama.
B. This class is scored mathematically, based on penalty faults
incurred between the starting line and the finish line.
Placing in the class is based on faults first, timing second,
when timing is used in a regular round or in a jump‐off.
The pony, rider or attire is not judged.
C. If a pony makes two or more faults at an obstacle, only the
major fault counts. In the case of equal faults, one counts.
(Exception: Disobediences count in addition.)
D. When an obstacle is composed of several elements in the
same vertical plane, a fault at the top element is the only
one penalized.
E. When an obstacle to be taken in one effort is composed of
several elements not in the same vertical plane (e.g., oxer,
triple bar), faults at more than one element are penalized
only once.
F. In combinations, the faults committed at each obstacle are
scored separately. In case of refusal or run‐out at one
element of a combination (and upon the judge’s signal that
the obstacle has been reset, if necessary), the competitor
must re‐jump the entire combination.
G. In cases of broken equipment or loss of shoe, the rider
must continue if he wishes to avoid penalty or may
voluntarily withdraw.
H. An eliminated competitor may make one attempt to jump
an additional single obstacle, which may be designated by
the judge(s), but he may not continue thereafter.
I. Riders receiving physical assistance from outside the ring
(e.g., longe whips, etc.) while on course will be eliminated.
J. At least two practice jumps should be available in the
warm‐up area.
K. Fence Heights
1. 9 & U Minimum 12” – Maximum 18”; Cross rails
encouraged in the first round. Straight rails may be
used for jump‐offs. Raise only suggested when third
jump is required.
At the National Congress and Regional Shows, the
jumps may be set at 18” minimum to encourage
clean rounds and 24” maximum.
2. 10‐13 & 13 & Under Minimum 18” – Maximum 24”
(Jump‐off 30”)
3. 14‐18 & 18 & Under Minimum 24” – Maximum 30”
(Jump‐off 36”)
4. All exhibitors in the age division of 13 & Under or 18
& Under shall run the same pattern posted for that
class.
L. Start and Finish
1. Failure to enter the ring within 1 minute of being
called or failure to cross the starting line within 1
minute after audible signal (bell, horn, whistle or
buzzer) to proceed has been given incurs
elimination.
2. Ponies are to enter the ring at the command of the
judge, proceeding through the course at a trot,
canter or gallop.
3. An audible signal (bell, horn, whistle or buzzer) is
used for the following purposes:
a. to give the signal to start;
b. to stop a competitor in the event of an
unforeseen incident (which also designates a
time‐out);
c. to indicate that an obstacle must be reset
before being retaken after it has been knocked
down during a refusal (designating a time‐out);
d. to give the signal for a competitor to continue
his round after an interruption, also
designating a time‐out (NOTE: it is the rider’s
responsibility to be ready to continue on the
course when the signal is given.)
e. to indicate by repeated and prolonged ringing
that the competitor has been eliminated.
M. Disobediences
1. Refusals. Stopping in front of an obstacle to be
jumped, whether or not the pony knocks it down or
displaces it, is penalized as a disobedience. Stopping
at an obstacle without knocking it down and without
backing, followed immediately by jumping from a
standstill, is not penalized. However, if the stop
continues, or if the pony backs even a single step or
circles to retake the course, a refusal is incurred.
2. Run‐out. Evading or passing the obstacle to be
jumped or the finish line or jumping an obstacle
outside its limiting markers is penalized as a
disobedience.
3. After a run‐out or refusal, the competitor must,
before proceeding on course, re‐jump the obstacle
at which the disobedience occurred or be
eliminated. If the flag, standard, wing or obstacle has
not been reset when the competitor is ready to
jump, he must await the signal to start or be
eliminated.
4. Loss of Forward Movement. Halting or stepping
backward after crossing the start line, (unless due to
a refusal, run‐out or an order from the judge due to
unforeseen circumstances such as a fence being
blown down), will be penalized as a disobedience.
Loss of forward movement on banks will not be
scored as a disobedience unless the pony takes a
step backward.
5. Circling. Any form of circle or circles whereby the
pony crosses its original track between two
consecutive obstacles, or stops advancing toward or
turns away from the next fence except to retake an
obstacle after a disobedience, is considered a
disobedience. This is a judgment call. (Note: Coming
sideways or zigzagging toward an obstacle does not
constitute a disobedience unless the pony passes or
turns its back to the next obstacle or the finish line.)
N. Falls
1. A rider is considered to have fallen when he is
separated from his pony that has not fallen in such a
way as to necessitate remounting or vaulting into
the saddle.
2. A pony is considered to have fallen when the
shoulder and haunch on the same side have touched
the ground or an obstacle and the ground.
O. Knockdowns
1. An obstacle is considered knocked down when, in
jumping an obstacle, a pony or rider, by contact:
a. lowers any part thereof which establishes the
height of the obstacle or the height of any
element of a spread obstacle, even when the
obstacle is arrested in its fall by some other
portion of the obstacle.
b. moves any part thereof, which establishes the
height of the obstacle so that it rests on a
different support from the one on which it was
originally placed.
2. Should a pole resting in a cup come to rest on the lip
of the cup, or on a bracket, which is an integral part
of the cup, it is not considered a knockdown.
Narrowing the width of a spread obstacle without
altering the height of any elements as defined in a.)
and b.) above is not considered a knockdown. If an
obstacle falls after a competitor leaves the ring, it is
not considered a knockdown.
P. Touches. Touches are scored as outlined below. At a brush
obstacle, touching the brush alone without touching the
framework, standards or pole, is not scored.
Q. Off Course. A competitor is considered off course when he
deviates from the course as shown by the diagram and
jumps an obstacle prior to rectifying the deviation.
R. Table of Faults
1. Touch of obstacle with any portion of pony’s body
behind stifle: 1/2 fault
2. Touch of obstacle with any portion of pony’s body in
front of stifle, or with any part of rider or equipment:
1 fault
(Touches of ground lines are scored as in 1 and 2)
3. Touch of standard or wing in jumping obstacle with
any part of pony, rider or equipment: 1 fault
4. Touch of flag, automatic timing equipment or other
designated markers on start or finish lines or flags
standing alone marking the limits of banks, ditches
and water jumps, with any part of pony, rider or
equipment during the round: 1 fault
5. Knockdown of obstacle or standard with any portion
of pony, rider or equipment, when jumping an
obstacle: 4 faults
6. Knockdown of automatic timing equipment, other
designated markers on start and finish lines or flags
standing alone marking the limits of banks, ditches
and water jumps: 4 faults
7. First disobedience: 3 faults
8. Second cumulative disobedience anywhere on
course: 6 faults
9. Third cumulative disobedience anywhere on course:
Elimination
10. Fall of pony and/or rider: Elimination
11. Jumping an obstacle before it is reset, or without
waiting for signal to proceed: Elimination
12. Starting before judge’s signal to proceed:
Elimination
13. Failure to enter ring within 1 minute of
being called: Elimination
14. Failure to cross the starting line within 1 minute
after signal to proceed: Elimination
15. Jumping an obstacle before crossing start line unless
the obstacle is designated as a practice obstacle or
after crossing the finish line, whether forming part of
the course or not: Elimination
16. Off course: Elimination
17. Deliberately addressing an obstacle (Penalized at any
time pony is in the ring): Elimination
18. Rider and/or pony leaving the arena before finishing
the course (Penalized at any time pony is in the ring):
Elimination
19. Exceeding the time limit: Elimination
20. Failure to wear ASTM/SEI approved headgear,
failure to fasten chinstrap or loss of headgear (must
remain in place on top of the head) anywhere on
course (rider must stop course immediately):
Elimination
21. Disqualifications listed under Rule 100: Elimination
S. Courses
1. Obstacles should be attractive, colorful, varied and
appropriate to their setting. Their components must
be capable of being knocked down and should be
neither so light nor poorly supported that they fall at
a slight touch, or so heavy or firmly supported that
they can hardly be dislodged. Jump heights to be
measured at the center of the jump. Spreads shall
not be greater than the height for that age group.
2. There should be at least one change of direction in
every course including jump‐off courses.
3. At least one combination may be included in every
course. Double (in and out) and triple (three jumps)
are optional.
4. Every course must contain a minimum of eight
jumping efforts and include at least one change of
direction. A ground line is required for each take‐off
side.
5. One obstacle should be a spread obstacle.
T. Posting Courses
1. Courses must be posted at least one hour before the
scheduled time of the class. Classes may not be
started prior to that time without permission of all
exhibitors in that class.
2. The diagram or plan of the course, and the jump‐off
course, must show the obstacles that must be
jumped, with the order indicated by number. Apart
from this, the rider is not bound to follow a
compulsory track, being careful not to violate
Section M above. An arrow is used to indicate the
direction each obstacle must be jumped. No lines
should be added by the Show Committee showing a
track to be taken.
U. Obstacle Requirements
1. All obstacles should be a minimum 12’ in length, and
have wings.
2. A ground line is required for each side of an obstacle
that will be jumped in the course.
3. Combination obstacles, doubles or triples, should
have a minimum inner distance of 21’ and a
maximum distance of 39.5’. The distance is
measured from the base of an obstacle on the
landing side to the base of the next obstacle on the
take‐off side. Any obstacles with 39.5’ or less
between them must be designated as a combination
by numbering them with a single number and the
use of A and B or A, B and C.
4. Spread obstacles should have the back element a
minimum of 3” taller than the height of the front
element and no higher than 6”. The width of the
spread should not exceed 3’6”. A solid element (i.e.,
coop, wall, etc.) may not be used as part of the
farthest element.
5. Brush obstacles must have a clearly visible rail placed
above or beyond them.
6. Minimum distance between obstacles should be 48’.
V. Jump‐Offs
1. A jump‐off is necessary whenever two or more
exhibitors have the same number of faults. Those
exhibitors not involved in the jump‐off retain their
placings regardless of the scores in the resulting
jump‐off.
2. Obstacles may be lowered or raised in 3” increments
to a maximum height of 36”, measured in the center
of the jump. Obstacles may also be broadened or
narrowed within the guidelines.
3. Jump‐off courses should be posted prior to the
beginning of the class.
4. Timed jump‐offs shall be taken from the instant the
pony’s chest reaches the start line until it reaches
the finish line.
5. The course may not be shortened to less than six
obstacles and must include at least one vertical and
one spread obstacle.
W. The show judge shall judge all disobediences and ensure
that the rider follows the prescribed pattern. “Spotters”
shall be positioned to observe each jump closely for touch
and knockdown faults, and report to the judge for
tabulation. The spotters shall be appointed by the Show
Committee. Each spotter shall be responsible for no more
than three jumps. The judge shall tabulate all faults and
report the total to the ring announcer. This method will be
used at Regional Shows and the National Congress Show.
At all other shows, the number of spotters shall be at the
discretion of the Show Committee (a minimum of two
spotters should be used).
