What is a jump-off in show jumping?
B · Beginner · The competition · 5 of 5A deciding round for riders who are level, usually all those who jumped clear. They ride a shorter version of the course, often with the fences raised. This time it is against the clock. The fewest penalties wins, and among equal scores the fastest time wins.
How it works
- When: where more than one pair has no penalties, where pairs are tied for first place or, at a championship or Games, tied for a podium place.
- Only if announced: the schedule must say that a competition has a jump-off. If it does not, there is none.
- One only: no competition may have more than one jump-off, apart from named exceptions.
- Straight away: held immediately after the preliminary round or rounds.
- The same horse: riders must start the horse they rode before.
- A shorter course: the number of obstacles may be reduced to a minimum of six.
- Bigger fences: heights and spreads may be increased, but only if the riders in the jump-off were clear before.
- A combination stays: if the first course had one, the jump-off must have at least one. The distances inside it may not be altered.
- New order, same fences: the order may be changed. The shape, type and colour of the obstacles may not. Up to two extra obstacles may be added.
- Starting order: the same as in the round before, or the reverse of the times there, as the schedule says.
- Dropping out: a rider who retires or is eliminated in the jump-off is placed equal last among those in it.
- Nobody wants to jump: if all the qualified riders decline and the ground jury accepts it, the trophy is drawn by lot and the prize money shared.
The glossary has the jump-off, the clear round, the time allowed, the combination and the Table A and Table C entry.
Tricky cases
Does the fastest rider in the jump-off win?
No, not if they have a fence down. Penalties come first. A slower clear round beats a faster round with four penalties.
Can a rider switch to a fresher horse for the jump-off?
No. The same horse must be started in the jump-off as in the earlier rounds.
Only one rider goes clear in the first round. Is there a jump-off?
No. They have won. A jump-off needs more than one pair tied.
A rider with a single time fault in the first round is fastest of all. Do they reach the jump-off?
No. A time fault is a penalty, so the round was not clear.
Why the rule exists
At the top level a good course produces several clear rounds, and something has to separate them. Putting the clock on a shorter course tests a different skill: tight turns and long gallops into fences. It gives the class a finish in which each rider knows the time to beat.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Against the clock | Equal penalties are split by time | FEI Jumping 220.2 |
| Not against the clock | Riders level on penalties share the prizes, unless a jump-off for first place is scheduled | FEI Jumping 220.1 |
| Nations Cup | One rider from each tied team jumps off for first place | FEI Jumping 226.9.2.1 |
| Immediate jump-off | Clear riders stay in the arena and start again at the bell | FEI Jumping 218.1.5 |
From the rule book
Fédération Équestre Internationale, Jumping Rules, 28th edition (effective 1 January 2026), articles 217.1.4, 218, 220 and 226.9. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Jumping Rules 2026 (PDF).