The Origins of Jumping

As the horse bunches its muscles and flies over a jump and covers a course with courage and grace, one often wonders where this sport began.  Here is a brief history of the origins of the sport of jumping. 

In many areas of medieval Europe, the upper class citizens could obtain permission to hunt and fish on feudal land.  Not only did the game provide recreation, but also food and furs.  Riders rode briskly across the countryside in pursuit of their quarry, jumping obstacles along the way. 

Ireland was the home of the first steeplechase.  In the 18^th century people made a sport of riding and jumping obstacles across the country from the steeple of one church to the steeple of another.  The first steeplechase is said to have been the result of a wager in 1752 between Mr. Cornelius O'Callaghan and Mr. Edmund Blake.  The course was from Buttevant Church to St. Leger Church, a four mile long course in Cork, Ireland. The early steeple chase competitions were most similar to a European cross country course.  The first steeplechase to be run on a track with jumps was celebrated in 1810 in Bedlam, North Yorkshire.  

How did hunting and jumping come to America?  Hunting was part of the culture in the South.  The elite members of southern society attempted to impose rules and create reserves, much like those in Europe, but the slaves and the poorer hunters would not comply.  The hunt then became a “sport” to the wealthy southerners, who loved the thrill of the chase.  This differentiated their focus from the hunting methods of those people who were focused on hunting for the sake of gathering food and pelts.   This is how the sport of competing in hunter and jumper classes established itself in America.