Solution for 31 May cryptic crossword clue

Protection of French show-jumping obstacle (7)

Solution – Defence

A charades clue today. (See sidebar under popular posts for explanations of various clue types)

The part of the clue that provides the definition for the solution is “protection” – of course “defence” matches that well.

The rest of the clue is the charade.

First there is “of French” – the word “of” in French can be “de”.

A “show jumping obstacle” can be a “fence”.

So de + fence = defence. Voila! Vive La belle France!