| Horses have an interesting history. While many other | | | | began participating and competing. The first |
| equestrian competitions have a deep history, jumping a | | | | competitions often made divisions of military and civilian |
| bit newer. The first early shows were just at that turn | | | | and scoring tended to be a bit unorganized and with |
| of the century. Prior to that, there really had not been a | | | | little rationale. As progress continued, hunter jumpers |
| need for horses to jump as there were very few | | | | and show jumping began to be scored in a more |
| fences. During the 1700's fences started going up in | | | | universal fashion, and the British Show Jumping |
| England and horses that were following fox hounds | | | | Association was formed. Other countries still had their |
| grew a need to become jumpers. Once it was | | | | own rules but over time the Federation Equestre |
| recognized the ability and athleticism that horses had, | | | | Internationale, FEI, helped bring universal scoring to |
| horse jumping started being considered a sport, not | | | | competitions. By 1912 Show jumping became an |
| only to follow the fox hounds but on its own as well. | | | | Olympic sport. |
| European training schools began teaching jumping and | | | | Show jumping consists of jumping over a variety of |
| as saddles and stirrups progressed, it was further | | | | obstacles including double and triple combinations with |
| obvious the abilities of that the horses had as jumpers. | | | | carried turns and many changes of direction. Texas in |
| An Italian instructor by the name of Captain Fiederico | | | | particular has many riders, young and old that take |
| Caprillli was instrumental with his conceptual ideas | | | | riding lessons in Texas with dreams of winning horse |
| & design s for a forward seat for jumpers that | | | | show jumping competitions. Those that do take Texas |
| enhanced the overall agility and ability for the horse to | | | | riding lessons will learn all parts of show jumping, |
| jump. | | | | including riding with the very forward English saddle |
| Soon after, horse jumping competitions began with the | | | | that is used for the large freedom of movement that is |
| first large international show jumping class at the Horse | | | | necessary when jumping. Today, horse show jumping |
| of the Year show in the early 1900's. Te first riders | | | | continues to be a growing sport and a thriving part of |
| were largely military but it wasn't long before civilians | | | | horse equitation. |