How do time penalties work in show jumping?

• Set from the course: the time allowed "is determined in relation to the length of the course and the speeds" in the rules.
• The speed: generally between 325 and 400 metres a minute. Top outdoor competitions use 375 to 400.
• The penalty: one penalty "for each second commenced" over the time allowed.
• The limit: "equal to twice the time allowed". Exceeding it means elimination.
• When the clock starts: when the pair crosses the start line after the bell, or when the 45-second countdown runs out, whichever comes first.
• When it stops: on crossing the finish line in the right direction after the last obstacle.
• Recorded: in seconds and hundredths of a second.
• Not stopped: for a refusal, a run-out or going the wrong way.
• Stopped: when the bell is rung to rebuild an obstacle, or for something outside the rider's control.
• Six seconds: added whenever an obstacle has to be rebuilt after a disobedience.
• A wrong measurement: the ground jury may correct the time allowed after the first three riders have gone clear of interruptions.

The glossary has the time allowed, the time fault entry, the penalty points entry and the clear round.

Without a time allowed a rider could trot between fences and set the horse up perfectly for each one. The time makes the course a test at a working pace, and the course designer uses it as a tool: a tight time forces riders to cut corners, and cut corners bring poles down.