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Show jumping is a
relatively young sport, which tests the skill of horse and rider in
negotiating obstacles that are easily knocked down. It was
accepted into the Olympic Games in 1912.
Frederico Caprilli
(1868-1907) who pioneered the 'forward seat' laid the foundations for
the sport, as a horse carrying the full weight of his rider on his back
will be inclined to drag or drop his hind legs over a fence.
Show jumping is conducted either indoors or outdoors over
artificial fences that fall down easily. The
aim is to jump the course within the time allowed (which is not fast)
without knocking down any fences. Faults are awarded for a
knockdown (4), or a refusal. Those who go clear jump-off, over a course that may be shortened in length or increased in
height, to decide a winner, or the winner may be decided on the fastest
round with the least number of faults. If two or more are equal,
there may be another jump-off.
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