NATIONAL JUMPER CLASSIFICATIONS USEF 2004

NATIONAL JUMPER CLASSIFICATIONS USEF 2004

JUMPER DIVISION

Jumper divisions are scored mathematically, based on penalty faults incurred between the starting line and finish line. Penalty faults include disobediences, falls, knockdowns, touches and time penalties.

FENCES

Fences should be attractive, varied and appropriate to their setting. They and/or their components must be capable of being knocked down. Safety jump cups must be used in all jumper classes. A typical course consists of a minimum of eight obstacles that must include a combination (two, three or more obstacles with a maximum inner distance between them of 39'5") and permanent obstacles such as banks, ditches and water jumps.

JUDGING

The competitor has 45 seconds from the time the judges sound the audible signal to cross between the start markers in the proper direction and start on course until it reaches the finish line. If a refusal occurs while on course, the clock is stopped until the fence is rebuilt. Once the fence is rebuilt, the rider may continue on course, starting at the fence in which the refusal occurred. Regardless of the time, or fence in which the refusal occurred, a penalty of four seconds will be added to the time in which it takes to complete the course. The winner will be determined by the fastest time and least amount of jumping penalties in the jump off.

Jumping Faults

Knockdown of obstacle or foot in water - 4 faults
First disobedience on course - 4 faults
Exceeding Time Allowed - 1 fault for each second over
Fall of horse and/or rider - Elimination
Off course - Elimination

DIVISIONS

Junior Jumper: A horse that is ridden by an individual who has not reached his/her 18 th birthday. Courses to be set at Level 4-7.

Amateur Owner Jumpers: A horse that is ridden by an Amateur Owner or an amateur member of the owner's family. In either case, classes are restricted to riders who are no longer eligible to compete as junior exhibitors. Leased horses are not eligible, and multiple ownership is not permitted unless all owners are members of the same family. In addition, horse/rider combinations may not have competed within the previous 60 days at the International level. Horse/rider combinations that compete in the amateur owner jumpers (low or high) are not eligible for any jumper classes offering $25,000 or more in prize money at the same competition that is not an amateur class. Courses to be set at Level 4-7.

Children's Jumpers: To be ridden by exhibitors who have not reached their 18 th birthday by December 1 of the current competition year. Not to exceed Level 4. May be combined with Adult Jumpers. Please refer to the current Zone Specifications for further information.

Adult Amateur Jumpers: To be ridden by exhibitors who are no longer eligible to compete as junior exhibitors. All exhibitors must be amateurs in accordance with General Rules, Article 808 and must show U.S Equestrian amateur certification. Fences not to exceed Level 4. Please refer to the current Zone Specifications for further information.

Pony Jumpers: A pony, 14.2 hands and under in height, that is ridden by an individual who has not reached his/her 18 th birthday. Stallions are prohibited in Pony Jumpers. A measurement card is required for this division. Riders competing in any Pony Jumper section cannot compete in any other sections at the same competition in which they are required to jump fences higher than 3'6".

Preliminary Jumper: A horse's preliminary status begins when it first competes in a Jumper class offering prize money and continues for not less than two calendar years from that date regardless of money won. In addition, the horse must win at least $5000 in jumper classes that are not restricted to horses under six years of age before graduation to Intermediate status.

Intermediate Jumper: A horse, upon attaining Intermediate status, shall retain that status for at least two calendar years regardless of money won. In addition, the horse must have won at least $10,000 since attaining Intermediate status before graduating to Open status. If a horse that has lost its eligibility for the Intermediate section wins less than $5,000. in a subsequent year, it amy return to the Intermediate section until it wins a total of $5,000. including the winnings of the previous year.

Five Year Old Jumper: Open to horses with paper indicating a foaling date five years previous to the current calendar year. Courses to be set at Level 4 (Level 5 permitted after June 1 st ).

Six Year Old Jumper: Open to horses with papers indicating a foaling date six years previous to the current calendar year. Horses competing in classes restricted to Six Year Olds may not have ever shown in Open Jumper Classes offering $25,000 or more in prize money. Courses to be set at Level 5 (Level 6 permitted after June 1 st ).

Seven/Eight Year Old Jumper: Open to horses with papers indicating a foaling date seven or eight years previous to the current calendar year. Horses competition in classes restricted to Seven/Eight Year Olds may not have ever shown in Jumper Classes offering $25,000 or more in prize money at the International Level (classes restricted to horses under 8 years of age or under excluded). Courses to be at Level 6 or Level 7.