Jump Racing

📘 Overview

Jump Racing is a high-speed racing discipline that involves navigating jumps at pace. It comes in two main forms: Hurdling and Steeplechasing — each with distinct jump heights and difficulty levels.

  • Hurdling features smaller fences (under 3ft) and is typically for juvenile or green horses.

  • Steeplechasing involves higher, more varied obstacles (over 3ft) and is designed for older, more experienced mounts.

Both styles test not only speed, but also timing, rhythm, and jumping ability. Clean, confident rounds and good conditioning are the keys to success.


🐎 Breed Regulations & Stats

Hurdling

  • Speed: 30–40 mph

  • Jump: 2.99–6.99 ft

  • Division: D4, D3

  • Typically for younger horses or those still learning the ropes.

Steeplechase

  • Speed: 30–40 mph

  • Jump: 3.99–6.99 ft

  • Division: D4, D3

  • Designed for mature, experienced racehorses.

Common Breeds Seen in Jump Racing:

  • American Paint Horse

  • American Quarter Horse

  • Anglo-Arabian

  • Appaloosa

  • Arabian

  • French Trotter

  • Missouri Fox Trotter

  • Orlov Trotter

  • Russian Trotter

  • Standardbred

  • Thoroughbred

Hot-blooded and trotter-type breeds tend to excel due to their agility, speed, and stamina.


🧑‍⚖️ Judging

Jump Racing is a timed discipline. Riders are released at the start bell, and judges or cameras track the time to determine placings. In tight finishes, placement is determined by photo-finish or first full body past the finish line.

🎯 Timing & Finish Line:

  • Riders start on the bell.

  • Times are recorded manually or using server tools.

  • The fastest clean time wins.

Disqualifications

  • Riding off-course (outside track boundaries)

  • Horse shows signs of lameness or trips/falls during the event

  • Failure to clear an obstacle or skipping jumps

  • Unsafe or uncontrolled riding

⚠️ Penalties

To ensure fairness in mixed-class events, the following time adjustments may apply:

  • Weight Penalty: If a lighter horse runs in a heavier class, a +1 to +3 second penalty may apply (optional)

  • Gender/Age Balancing: Mature or male horses may receive slight time faults to level with juveniles or lighter mares when racing mixed (optional)

Hosts must clarify penalty systems before the race begins.


📊 Scoring

Final placements are based on fastest overall time, with any penalties added.

Example Result:

  • Rider A: 45.2 seconds, no penalties → Final Time: 45.2

  • Rider B: 43.6 seconds, +2 penalty → Final Time: 45.6

  • 🏆 Rider A wins due to a cleaner round!


👗 Attire

All riders must wear approved racing gear to ensure realism, safety, and server immersion.

Required Rider Attire:

  • Racing visor or eye protection

  • White breeches

  • Team jersey or approved shirt

  • Riding boots or racing boots

  • Optional gloves

Required Horse Gear:

  • Racing saddle & pad (numbered if required)

  • Racing bridle

  • Blinders (optional for realism)

  • Leg protection if necessary

  • Mane tied or kept neat

  • Clean grooming is expected


🧱 Course Building

Jump racing tracks should be oval-shaped or creative figures (e.g., figure-eight), with jumps spread evenly across the track.

Track Guidelines:

  • Minimum 6 jumps per course

  • All jumps must extend fully across the track with a 3-5 block gap each side

  • Use safe materials: hedges, barrels, wool, wood

  • Avoid sharp-edged blocks or trap-based designs

  • Jumps should match discipline height (under 3ft for hurdles, 3–6ft for steeplechase)

Optional: Use banners, signs, or NPCs for immersion and direction.


🎁 Prize Pot & Entry Fees

Tier
Entry Fee (Min)
Prize Pot (Min)
Placement Payouts

Juvenile Match

$20

$1,000

Top 3

Adult Hurdle Cup

$100

$5,000

Top 5

Grand Steeplechase

$200

$10,000

Top 8


📢 Hosting Guidelines

Hosting jump racing requires accuracy, coordination, and preparation.

✅ Host Checklist:

  • Post race classes (hurdle or steeple) & rules ahead of time

  • Clarify how penalties will be applied

  • Use at least two judges: one for timing, one for placement

  • Maintain control of crowd or chat noise

  • Confirm all horses are sound before allowing entry

  • Time each rider using lap timers or score sheets

  • Announce official placements & times post-race


🪪 Licensing

  • You may use a pre-built registered facility OR create your own

  • Custom tracks must follow course build guidelines

  • All new courses must be reviewed and registered before hosting sanctioned races

Last updated