Show jumping is a competitive sport consisting of many elements. The horse gracefully carries the uniformed and well-composed rider over an obstacle on a pre-arranged course in a timed or untimed event that is scored by a judge or panel of judges. It takes dedication and effort for the team of rider and mount to become both confident and competent so that they approach each obstacle without balking, vault the obstacle and land without the horse falling or the rider becoming unseated, and repeat this in the correct order until the course has been completed.
The saddle of a jumping horse will usually be over five feet above the ground. A horse will weigh in excess of one thousand pounds and have hard hooves. Obstacles to be jumped are composed of poles or bush. During a fall from a horse the rider may be trampled or fallen upon by the horse. The rider may become injured in the fall. This is one reason many jumping competitions mandate the use of a riding helmet.
The uniforms of the riders, typically jodhpurs, boots, white blouse, jacket and black helmet are quite elegant. The horses begin the competition groomed so that they shine almost as much as their tack. Some horse breeds have characteristics tailored for different styles of jumping.
Horses are animals, without the self-control that genteel society would mandate, if only they could. You may step in all manner of oddities at a show-jumping event. Horses are often willing to decide that they do not want to obey their rider. Every show-jumping event is good for a few surprises.