Dictionary Definition
puissance n : power to influence or coerce; "the
puissance of the labor vote"
User Contributed Dictionary
English
French
Pronunciation
- /pɥi.sɑ̃s/|lang=fr
Noun
fr-noun f- power (physical force or strength)
Extensive Definition
Puissance is the high-jump competition in the
equestrian
sport of show
jumping.
The competition involves a maximum of five rounds
- opening round followed by four jump-offs not against the clock.
The first round consists of four to six large single obstacles
including the puissance wall, the starting height of which can vary
from 1.70 m (5 feet, 6 inches) to 1.80 m (5 feet nine inches) in
height. For the jump-offs, in which the fences are raised for each
round, there are only two obstacles — a spread fence and the wall —
although an optional practice fence is included. In the event of
equality after the fifth round, riders share first prize.
The puissance wall has often become taller than 7
feet. The record for the puissance is held by German rider Franke
Sloothaak, who in 1991 jumped 7ft 10 inches on Leonardo.
The puissance is similar to, but not the same as,
the equestrian High Jump competition, which consists of a single,
slightly sloping fence made from a hedge topped with timber
rails.
The record for the High Jump stands at 8 ft. 1¼
in. (2.47 m), and was achieved by Captain Alberto
Larraguibel Morales riding Huaso
ex-Faithfull, at the Official International Event at Viña del
Mar, Chile on 5th February
1949.
Puissance is also a word meaning "powerful", or
having the power to do something.
External links
puissance in Spanish: Salto
alto