Show Jumps On Occasion Have Horses With No Long Lineage
Show jumps are usually found in English style horse competitions
. It is not to say they only happen in England, that is not the case at all, it is just the name of the most common style of horse competitions. Known as show jumping or stadium jumping, it can either be an event of its own or can be included with dressing, hunters and other special equestrian events.
You will find several different classes competing in these English style events, the hunter and jumper classes being the most common. A horse in the hunter class will be judged on appearance, style and the type of manners that it exhibits. On the other hand, the horse in the jumper class will be judged by a number system that includes the different types of jumps the horse completes with as few faults as possible and in the shortest amount of time. Hunters require calm and a special kind of style. The jumper class must be bold, strong, speedy, accurate and have a lot of control.
There are a variety of different rules for show jumps such as jumping penalties which are considered refusals and knockdowns which then the horse and rider are charged four faults or points against them. There is no penalty for a knockdown when it does not change the actual height of the jump. This can be done by the horse and rider knocking the middle or bottom bar of the jump.
If the horse refuses to do a certain jump and it interferes with the competition, that horse can then receive up to four faults for the one refusal.
There are time penalties during show jumps as well and that is based upon the average time it should take to run a certain course and if they go over the average time then they will receive one fault for ever second that they go over the allotted time.
Another fault is called the combination fault. This is when the course happens to have repeat areas during the course and the horse has to go through a particular area more than once. Should this area be an area that the horse refuses to do each time they get to that point, they will be given four faults for each refusal. So if the horse decides to refuse that area two times in a row, he would receive 8 faults.
The type of tack or saddle and accessories that a horse wears is important to the horse and rider. The saddle is an English saddle that allows the rider to have close contact with the horse. This kind of saddle gives both the horse and rider a lot more freedom when it comes to their show jumps. The saddle pads are generally white, they can attach the bridle to any kind of noseband and can be equipped with a bit or not. A lot do not use bits. If used, they must get approval of the official vet before they can use the bit on the horse.
There are several different types of events that show jumps can be found in. One would be the Grand Prix. Here the horses are expected to complete ten to sixteen obstacles with the heights going as high as six and a half feet. This particular event is included in the Olympics.
Other types that are popular would be, Speed Derby, Puissance which is a type of course that may have jumps as tall as seven feet high. The Six Bar is a course that has six different jumps for the horse that vary in size beginning with the shortest and ending with the tallest. The Gamblers Choice is a course that the rider picks for the horse. There is also one called the Maiden or Novice which is a course for horses with very little experience.
There are also a variety of show jumps that the horse and rider will need to jump. These would be Vertical, poles placed on top of each other with no width to jump, Oxer, this is when two verticals are put together to make the jump wider, Triple Bar, a fence using three bars with graduating heights, Wall, fence made to look like bricks, Combination, two or three jumps in a row, Open Water, ditch filled with water.
The horse breeds that generally compete in these events would be Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds with a long lineage behind them. Although at times, there are horses that compete well and do not come from this type of background.
by: Anne Graver
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