Show jumping officials: who decides what in the arena

At a show jumping competition the decisions are not made by one person alone: there is a team of officials, each with a specific job. Here we explain, with the FISE National Regulation, who does what in the arena and who is responsible for protecting the horse.

In short

• The Ground Jury President (Art. 84) ensures the rules are respected and stays in the arena until at least one hour after the last round.
• The Ground Jury (Art. 85) judges technically, assigns penalties and draws up the results, deciding collectively.
• The Steward (Art. 86) protects the horse's integrity and welfare and supervises the warm-up arena.
• The Course Designer (Art. 89) designs and measures the courses and checks the ground.
• The Starter (Art. 90) manages the starting order; this role cannot be held by the Steward.
• Source: FISE National Show Jumping Regulation (2025 edition).

Who leads the event: FISE Delegate and Ground Jury President

FISE may appoint a FISE Delegate (Art. 83), who works with the Organising Committee and the Ground Jury President for the success of the event. But the top figure in the arena is the Ground Jury President (Art. 84): he answers for everyone with a role at the event respecting the rules, and stays present until at least one hour after the last round.

His duties are very concrete: he checks stabling and boxes, verifies that the obstacles match the programmed height and width, and settles disputes between competitors and organisers. He can authorise lowering the obstacles, but only for weather or ground conditions and after consulting the Course Designer, giving his reasons in his report. He changes the courses' times together with the Course Designer, opens the arena for the walk, and checks the measurement of the Grand Prix course. And, a key point for the horse, he excludes from competition any horse that, after the vet's opinion, does not appear to be in good physical condition.

The Ground Jury: technical judging is collective

The Ground Jury (Art. 85) is the body that judges the rounds technically, awards points or penalties according to the class type and draws up the results. Its decisions are made collectively, unanimously or by majority: it is not the single judge who sets the result, but the body as a whole. The Jury also acts on its own initiative, without waiting for protests, when it spots errors or irregularities during the competition.

For specific tasks the Jury may rely on Commissioners (at the obstacles, warm-up arena, start) or on the Steward-Commissioners. It stays in office for the whole event, and replacing a member during a class is allowed only for force majeure, with notice to the Athletes' Representative.

The Steward: who protects the horse's welfare

The Steward (Art. 86) is the figure dedicated to the welfare and integrity of the horse. His first duty is to step in whenever the behaviour of athletes, instructors, coaches or grooms could harm the horse's health. In practice the Steward oversees the warm-up arena: he checks how the schooling fences are built and in which direction they are jumped, inspects tack, bits, bandages and boots, and watches for abuses such as excessive use of whip and spurs or overly prolonged training methods.

Faced with a prohibited behaviour, the Steward proceeds without delay to a verbal warning; depending on the seriousness he informs the Ground Jury President, who can involve the Jury for any measures. When there is more than one arena and several Stewards are needed, the one appointed by FISE becomes Chief Steward and coordinates them. The rule is clear on one point: responsibility for correct behaviour still rests with the athlete (or the instructor for minors), even if the Steward checked or reported nothing.

The arena and the start: Course Designer, Show Director and Starter

The Course Designer (Art. 89) is the technician who designs the course: he prepares the plan of each class, oversees the building and placing of the obstacles, and measures courses and single jumps with attention to height, width and features. Throughout the event he checks the suitability of the ground in the competition and warm-up arenas, and informs the Ground Jury President when conditions are not ideal. He cannot work at competitions where he is involved as competitor, instructor or owner (with limited exceptions at 0- and 1-star shows).

The Show Director (Art. 87) is instead the reference person named by the Organising Committee for the technical and organisational issues of the event. The Starter (Art. 90) ensures the orderly presentation of the pairs following the starting order, calls competitor and horse in advance and checks that there are no more pairs in the warm-up arena than the Ground Jury President authorised. The rule expressly forbids this role being held by the Steward: they are two distinct functions, with different logics.

The other services: timekeeping, medical, veterinary

Around the main officials revolve service figures. The Timekeepers (Art. 94) record the times, which are final; the service is not compulsory for some classes (games, brevet, judged, without prize money, reserved for 4- and 5-year-old horses), and in their absence the Jury measures the time. The picture is completed by Medical Assistance (Art. 95), Veterinary Assistance (Art. 96) and Farriery (Art. 97), plus the Show Secretariat (Art. 88), the Secretary/Speaker (Art. 93) and the Athletes' Representative (Art. 98). At the end of the event, the FISE Delegate and Ground Jury President send the report on the event (Art. 101).

The commentary. The logic of the rules is the separation of roles: whoever judges does not build the course, whoever cares for the horse's welfare does not manage the starts. It is a division of powers that protects both the fairness of the competition and the horse, because no sensitive decision is left in the hands of one person alone.

Related deep-dives

Back to the guide to show jumping rules for the full picture of roles, course and penalties.

Source and disclaimer

Content verified against the FISE National Show Jumping Regulation (2025 edition), Arts. 83-101 (competition officials and service figures). Verified on 15/09/2026. Independent, informational guide, unofficial and not affiliated with FISE: in competition the regulation in force prevails, and it updates by season.