Long Jump, Open

The long jump used to be a common competition but was rarely held later in the 20th century. The horses take off over a water jump, with an inclined take-off which is moved further and further back if the horses continue to succeed clearing the water. The 1900 Olympic title was won by Belgium’s Constant Van Langhendonck aboard Extra-Dry, who jumped 6.10 metres. All horses jumped over a barrier of 4.50 metres in length, and all jumped at increasing length barriers up to 4.90 metres. The remaining riders then chose the length of the final barriers.

It is not known what the best on record was in 1900 but the first FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale) recognized long jump record was 7.50 metres, set by Pick Me Up, ridden by Henry de Royer in 1912 at Le Touquet, France. The best on record in the 20th century was a jump of 8.40 metres by Something, ridden by André Ferreira on 26 April 1975 at the Rand Show in Johannesburg.