Founded by Daniel Entrecanales Domecq and Pablo Marquez Gabbardes, The Jumping Clash Challenge makes its 5* debut this weekend in Antwerp Belgium and we are ecstatic to see this new head to head format play out through livestream! But what is the Jumping Class Challenge and how does it work? We dug into the regulations to give you a clear understanding of this innovative new take on our sport.
Competition Format
The Jumping Clash Challenge was designed to consolidate the sport, featuring a bracketed format to bring the best of the best to the final round. This is a direct elimination competition, with the loser of each round immediately eliminated from the challenge, leaving a single competitor crowned as champion. Like March Madness, only something you actually care about!
There are two phases to the Challenge, broken down over two days. Day 1 houses the Qualifying Round a Table A class against the clock, in which all registered riders may compete, despite their FEI ranking. These riders competing in the Qualifying Round are riding to earn one of the top 4 placings in order to move on to the next phase of the competition.
Daniel Deusser, one of the Seeded Riders confirmed for Antwerp. PC: Wikimedia/Caygill
After round one, the Drawing of Pairs will commence in which the winners of the top 4 placings will be randomly assigned to a Challenger. Their challengers will be the top 4 Seeded riders who entered the competition based on FEI rankings.
Day 2 will begin with the Quarter Final, in which the 4 pairs drawn from the day before will face off in a head to head competition. The Quarter Final will be a Table A format against the clock, with the fastest horse and rider pair advancing to the next level. The winner from each bracket will move forward to the Semi Final, in which two pairs of riders will compete in a Table C class. With just two riders advancing to the Final Challenge, it’s a sudden death jump-off for the title.
What to Expect at Antwerp
The Four Seeded riders for Antwerp have been confirmed and there is a guarantee that the weekend will be full of excitement based off of the talent attending. This group represents FEI Rankings #3-6, with multiple WEG and Olympic medals between them. 
Round 1 of the Jumping Clash Challenge went down in spectacular fashion Wednesday night, with Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), Constant Van Paesschen (BEL), Pedro Veniss (BRA) & Patrice Delaveau (FRA) earning their spots for the second round Friday night.
Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) was the fastest of the round 1 competitors. PC: Jumping Antwerp Media
Need More Info?
You can watch the big finale this Friday at 8:45 p.m. Antwerp time, or 2:45 p.m. EST. The entire day and night’s events will be livestreaming FREE on the show’s website.
You can watch The Clash at Antwerp this weekend, Italy in July, the United States in September and many more competitions that are lining their calendar as popularity builds.
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#AntwerpJumping: Website, Schedule, Facebook, Livestreaming, Live Results/Order of Go