What is the result of a horse knocking down a fence while jumping?

When a horse knocks down a fence while jumping in a competitive event, it typically results in the accumulation of two penalty points. This penalty is standardized in many equestrian disciplines, particularly in show jumping, where the objective is not only to clear the jumps but to do so without incurring any faults.

Knocking down a fence indicates a failure in the jumping technique, and the point penalty reflects the impact of this fault on the overall performance. Understanding this aspect is crucial for riders and trainers, as it affects their overall score and strategy in competitions. The penalties serve to encourage precision and skill while navigating a course, as clean rounds without any knockdowns or refusals are highly valued in equestrian sports.