International show jumping has evolved over the years from a sport that was exclusive to the upper class to one that is now a staple in the Olympics. The sport has seen an increase in spectators, media attention and prize money, making it a more lucrative option for elite athletes than ever before. It is also a more accessible sport than ever before, as there are more opportunities for aspiring athletes to participate at a lower level than ever before. With the world coming together in one place in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics, we take a look at how international show jumping has changed since the days of knights and kings and how it continues to evolve today.

What is international show jumping?

International show jumping is a competitive equestrian sport that dates back to the 13th century. It involves horses and riders competing in a series of jumping events. The goal of these events is to complete a course of fences (or jumps) in the fastest time. The sport is broken down into six categories, with different levels of competition for each one: Eventing, Cross-Country, Dressage, Endurance, Equitation and Show Jumping. The sport is governed by the International Equestrian Federation, or FEI, and is one of the most watched equestrian events in the world. The Rio Olympics will feature a team event and individual event in show jumping.

How has international show jumping evolved?

With the rise of technology and the Internet, there has been a push to make the sport more accessible and appealing to a wider range of people. For example, the use of electronic timing systems allows for more accurate results and fairer competition. The introduction of artificial fences has made the sport more accessible to horse lovers who may not be able to ride fences over water or who have other physical limitations. The sport has also been growing in popularity in countries where it had traditionally been less popular, such as China. The Rio Olympics will be the first time that the sport will be featured as a medal event in the Olympics. The event will feature a team event and an individual event.

The rise of the internet and social media

The Internet has made a huge impact on the world of equestrian sports, not just in show jumping. It has allowed athletes, coaches, officials and fans to connect with one another, providing them with a wider network of people to learn from and share ideas with. It has also made it easier to track the results of competitions around the world, providing fans with more insight into the world of show jumping.The Internet also makes it easier for people to follow individual riders and events. Riders can easily post content about their riding or training, providing insight into their lives and the lives of other horse enthusiasts. The rise of social media has allowed people to connect with others who have similar interests and hobbies, providing them with a community to belong to.This has made the sport more accessible to people who may not have had the opportunity to participate in it before. It has also made the sport more profitable for those who participate, as there is more incentive to share content and promote events.

The rise of the Asian market

The Asian market has played a significant role in the growth of international show jumping. There have been numerous developments in China that have made the sport more accessible to a wider range of people, including the construction of new indoor arenas and the promotion of show jumping as a sport. China has also hosted a number of international competitions, including the Asian Games and Asian Para Games. The Asian Para Games will be the first time that the sport of show jumping will be featured as a medal event at the Paralympics.The Asian market has also been responsible for the growth of the sport in other parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia. Singapore and Malaysia have both hosted international shows and competitions.

The rise of Brazil

The rise of Brazil as a major horse-riding country has been a significant change to the sport of show jumping. Brazil has made significant investments in its equestrian sports, including the construction of new horse riding arenas and the promotion of show jumping as an Olympic sport. Brazil has also hosted a number of international competitions, including the Pan American Games and the World Equestrian Games. The Rio Olympics will be the first time that the sport of show jumping will be featured in the Olympics.The rise of Brazil has also had an impact on other parts of the world, such as South America. Argentina has also hosted international competitions and Brazil has promoted the sport in other countries in the region. This has made the sport more accessible to people in surrounding areas.

The rise of the African continent

Africa has also seen an increase in the popularity of show jumping. There has been an increase in the construction of new horse riding arenas and the promotion of show jumping as an Olympic sport. African countries have also hosted international competitions, including the African Games and African Para Games. The African Para Games will be the first time that the sport of show jumping will be featured as a medal event at the Paralympics.The rise of African countries has also had an impact on other parts of the world, including South America. Brazil has promoted the sport of show jumping in other countries in the region, making the sport more accessible for people in surrounding areas.

Conclusion

International show jumping has seen a lot of change in the past few decades. It has grown in popularity, with more people attending events and more media coverage given to the sport. The sport has also been more heavily regulated, with the use of electronic timers and artificial fences making the sport more fair and accessible to a wider range of people.The sport has also changed due to the rise of countries in the African and Asian markets, with Brazil and China promoting the sport and making it more accessible to a wider range of people. The rise of these markets has also led to increased interest in the sport in other countries in the region.