BS Course Building Rules: A Practical Overview for Designers

Published 17 June 2026 · Updated 3 July 2026

By Alex Young

British Showjumping publishes course-building guidance alongside the Table of Distances. Discovery round or Foxhunter track, the same three hold: safe take-off and landing, rideable related distances, and progressive difficulty.

The Table of Distances

BS distances assume a canter stride of roughly 3.5 m (12 ft) with standard take-off and landing allowances. Related lines are quoted in strides; long and short options are noted for course walkers.

When you design digitally in show jumping course design software, compare your measured line against the table for the declared height and class grade.

Combinations and spreads

Combinations must not exceed the maximum number of elements for the class.
Spreads have width limits per grade — an oxer that is too wide for the level is a common course inspection failure.
Planks and fragile fences need appropriate cups and support for the height.

Water jumps

Approach and exit must be level. The water itself needs adequate depth and width per the rule book; training venues sometimes use reduced trays — never assume a training obstacle meets affiliated spec without checking.

Numbering and the jump-off

Every fence carries a number in the order it is jumped; combination elements share a number with letters (7A, 7B). If the class has a jump-off, those fences also carry a second set of markings — our guide to numbering a course covers the conventions, and designing a jump-off covers picking a track that rewards brave turns without inviting flat, fast rounds.

First-round heights and progressive difficulty

A well-built BS track opens with an inviting first fence — typically a simple vertical or ascending oxer below maximum height on a forward distance from the start line. Difficulty should build through the course: the technical questions (shortest related distance, biggest oxer, the double) belong in the second half, once horse and rider have established rhythm. A maximum-dimension question at fence 2 is legal but poor building.

Builder checklist

Confirm arena size and surface.
Set height and grade in your design tool.
Validate every related distance.
Walk the course as a rider would ride it, not as the crow flies.
Sign off with the technical delegate before numbers go on the fences.

If riders can gallop and turn fairly without fighting the track, you have done the job. That starts with knowing the rules cold.

Design tools: Free show jumping course designer · Course design software · UK course design guide · Open the designer