Show Jumping: Original Score Tariff..

The original list of faults introduced in 1925 was as follows:

Refusing or Bolting at any fence:

1st: 2 faults
2nd: 3 faults
3rd: Debarment
Fall of Horse or Rider or both: 4 faults
Horse touches a fence without knocking it down: ½ fault
Horse upsets fence with:
Fore limbs: 4 faults
Hind limbs: 2 faults

Water jump:
Fore leg in: 2 faults
Hind leg in: 1 fault
Upsetting or removing the water fence: ½ fault

The differences between the number of faults a horse received depending upon which limb hit the fence was a remnat from the origins in hunting whereby it was more dangerous for a horse to hit a jump with his forefoot as he was more likely to tip up.

Water jumps were at least 15 feet (5 metres) wide although the water had often drained out of them before the last competitor jumped them. High jumping would start with a pole at around 5 foot but this was later abandoned as many horses went under the pole. It was for this reason that more poles were added and fillers came into use. In the early days time penalties did not count and competitors were not penalised until 1917 . Showjumping was first incorporated into the Olympic Games in 1912 and has thrived ever since its popularity due in part as its suitability as a spectator sport which can be viewed on television.