Jumping is an extreme test of horsemanship, nerve and skill and a spectacular mix of courage, control and technical ability!

2021 FEI Jumping facts and figures

Top 3 NFs with events in Jumping

Top 3 NFs with registered athletes in Jumping

Top 3 NFs with registered horses in Jumping

Major Events 2021

Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, Gothenburg (SWE)

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in 2021 had to be cancelled for the second year in a row, this time on account of the unexpected outbreak of the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). The EHV-1 virus hit mainland Europe at the end of February 2021, leading to a lockdown in Austria, Belgium, Spain, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Sweden, to further prevent the spread of the virus.

The 28-day lockdown, which was announced on 1 March, would have allowed for the Finals to take place. But the Event was cancelled when the lockdown was later extended to 11 April to ensure the safety of all equine athletes.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Find out everything about Jumping at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in the Olympic/Paralympic Games section.

Longines FEI Jumping European Championship for Seniors, Riesenbeck (GER)

Following the postponement of the Tokyo Games to 2021, it had been previously decided that European Championships would not be held in Jumping during the same year. However, after several European National Federations along with the European Equestrian Federation asked the FEI Board to reconsider this decision, it was decided that the FEI Jumping European Championships would be held in Riesenbeck (GER) from 30 August to 5 September 2021.

With 15 teams aiming for gold, it was the freshly-crowned Olympic Champion Sweden who jumped into the lead on day one, ahead of Germany and Switzerland. By day two, Switzerland took the lead with spectacular clear rounds from Martin Fuchs & Leone Jei. Germany remained steady in second position ahead of the final showdown, while Sweden hung onto the podium in third position.

The tension at the Final was clearly palpable, with only one fence between Switzerland and Germany, and Sweden trailing one fence behind. In the end it would all come down to anchor rider Steve Guerdat & Albfuehren’s Maddox, who withstood the pressure to take gold for Switzerland, marking the country’s fifth victory in the 46–year history of the FEI Jumping European Championships.

With one gold medal already in his pocket, defending European champion Martin Fuchs (SUI) also found himself in pole position for the individual final. He was followed closely by Andre Thieme (GER) & DSP Chakaria, as well as Loli Mytilineo (GRE) together with Levis de Muze. But with one mistake in each of the two final rounds, it was not going to be double gold for Fuchs, but a first FEI Jumping European Championship title for Andre Thieme and his chestnut mare. Bronze went to the reigning Olympic gold medallist Peder Fredricson from Sweden with Catch Me Not S.  

Team Podium

Individual Podium

Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final, Barcelona (ESP)

Following the cancellation of the 2020 edition due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2021 was clearly set to be the culmination of an already incredible year of Jumping.

Belgium led the way into the first round of the Final, over a course built by Spain’s Olympic course designer for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Santiago Varela.

The challenge of the technical course combined with its tight time resulted in only seven out of 58 starters clearing it without any penalties. At the end of the day, with two time penalties, it was Germany who jumped into the lead ahead of Spain and The Netherlands after the first competition. With the best eight teams moving on to the Final competition, and all starting the competition on zero penalties, the playing field was wide open once again.

It turned out to be a tight race between The Netherlands and Ireland, in which Harrie Smolders (NED) provided the necessary clear round for a victory. Belgium secured third rank, ahead of Sweden narrowly missing out on a place on the podium.

Podium

FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses, Lanken (BEL)

Of the 231 young talents lined up to compete in the 5-year-old category, only the top 55 made it to the final after two qualifying competitions. Among the favourites for the title were BWP Quabriolet van het Bildeken ridden by Arnaud Gaublomme (BEL) and Vosje with Sanne Thijssen (NED). The medallists were ultimately decided through a 16-horse jump-off. With only three double clears, it was Querido VG Z, ridden by Christian Ahlmann, who took the title on home turf and BWP Quabriolet van het Bildeken and & Arnaud Gaublomme (BEL) taking silver. Lorhana – P took bronze under Nicole Eggens for The Netherlands.

In the 6-year-old category, there were 259 starters vying for the Championship title. BP Limitless, ridden by Irish athlete Max O’Reilly Hyland, came out strong to win the first qualifier and went clear again in the second. However, with one fault in the final, and 11 clear rounds heading to the jump-off, all hopes for a medal had vanished. In the end it was the Westphalian stallion Cronos, together with Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt who reigned supreme, followed by compatriot Crowny & Anglique Rüsen, and the bronze medal went to Parequita V.H & Virginie Thonon for Belgium.

Just a Dream was crowned champion in the 7 year-old category. Under Harm Lande, the German mare lived up to all expectations with one clear round after the other, right up until the final and the jump-off, in which she produced the quickest clear round to place her at the top of the podium. J. Comghorla Van Beek (KWPN) & Gilles Thomas, as well as Etundel de Marocy (SF) & Dominique Hendrickx took silver and bronze for Belgium.

Podium: 5-year-old

Podium: 6-year-old

Podium: 7-year-old

YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

FEI Jumping European Championship for Ponies, Strzegom (POL)

This 2021 FEI Jumping European Championships for Ponies were clearly dominated by the French. With only eight faults in the team competition, Anna Szarzewski & Vaughann de Vuzit, Lola Brionne & Clementine, Nohlan Vallat & Daenerys D’Hurl’Vent, Jeanne Hirel & Vedouz de Nestin and Marie Ann Sullivan & Ken Van Orchid sealed the deal for a gold medal ahead of The Netherlands and Norway.

In the individual competition, Jeanne Hirel secured her second gold medal while compatriot Marie Ann Sullivan took silver. Bronze went to Siebe Leemans (NED) & Voodstock de L’astree after an intense head-to-head with Thea Gunleksen (NOR) & Parc Cookie.   

Team Podium

Individual Podium

FEI Jumping North American Youth Championship, Travers City (USA)

The FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) continue to be an important stepping stone for all young athletes in the region. After being cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this prestigious event returned in 2021 with Travers City MI as the new host, a record number of 200 Jumping and Dressage athletes, and a new category in the Pre-Junior Championship.

For the first time in the children’s Jumping category, Mexico put forward a team for Mexico North and another for Mexico South. The USA took the gold in the Team Event, while Individual gold went Jimena Carrillo Watanabe from Mexico North, who emerged victorious from the jump-off.

The USA clearly dominated the playing field in both the team and individual competitions of the Jumping Pre-Juniors, Juniors and Young Riders categories.

Children Team Podium

Children Individual Podium

Pre-Junior Team Podium

Pre-Junior Individual Podium

Junior Team Podium

Junior Individual Podium

Young Rider Team Podium

Young Rider Individual Podium

FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors & Children, Vilamoura (POR)

The Belgians proved unbeatable at the FEI Jumping European Championships for Young Riders, Juniors & Children hosted in Vilamoura (POR), as they rode to victory in all the team competitions. Great Britain secured a bronze medal in each category while Italy won silver in the Children, Switzerland in the Junior and Ireland in the Young Rider.

In the individual competitions, Gyula Szuhai Jr. (HUN) & Perthy Jackson became the new  European Championship title holders in the Children’s category, Ava Vernon (GBR) & Jolie Fleur Van De Noordheuvel in the Juniors, and Matthis Westendarp (GER) & Stalido FRH in the Young Riders.

The Children’s podium was completed by Hugo Kogelnig (FIN) & Vermont 2 who took home the silver medal, while Anna Maria Vitek (CZE) & Chacco’s Make earned bronze. Belgian siblings Tristan and Aurelia Guissan took silver and bronze respectively for the Juniors, while Great Britain’s Jack Whitaker won silver and Emilie Conter (BEL) bronze for the Young Riders.

Children Team Podium

Children Individual Podium

Junior Team Podium

Junior Individual Podium

Young Rider Team Podium

Young Rider Individual Podium

FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth Final, Kronenberg (NED)

The FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth Final 2021 took place at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in Kronenberg (NED) for the first time since its inception in 2018. With 12 teams in the starting blocks for the Young Riders, Juniors & Children’s category, as well as nine pony teams, the finals were guaranteed to come with a good portion of suspense and unexpected outcomes.   

After the first competition in the Young Riders category, it was Sweden who figured at the top of the leader board, followed closely by Italy, the Czech Republic and France on an equal score. However, the Final Competition saw Germany rise to the occasion, delivering a perfect score of zero faults; second place went to France with four penalties and the third spot on the podium went to Sweden.

In the Juniors competition, Belgium and Spain took the lead in a head-to-head race after day one, while the USA and Ireland found themselves in equal third position in the intermediate ranking. In the final competition, where the podium placement were decided on milliseconds, Team USA secured gold finishing on only four penalties ahead of Spain in second position and Belgium in third, both on five penalty points.   

Belgium took gold with a four penalty overall finish in the Children’s category, while Sweden sat right behind them in second position with an additional time penalty. With eight penalties in total, the home nation finished third.

Ireland took the highest step of the podium in the Pony Nations Cup™ Final with a clean sheet, followed by Germany in second rank with a single fence having been lowered, while France finished third with eight penalties.

Young Rider Final Podium

Junor Final Podium

Children Final Podium

Ponies Final Podium