Show Jumps Require Saddles That Allow Both Rider And Horse More Freedom

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.

Faults for jumpers can be given for a variety of different infractions. Knockdowns and refusals are the most commonly issued faults against the horse and rider. When it comes to knockdowns there is an exception to the rule, if the horse does not change the height of the jump and only knocks down the middle or bottom bar, he will not receive a fault.

If a horse refuses to do a jump he can receive four faults for that jump. If the refusal by the horse happens to actually interfere with the event itself, is when they will receive a penalty for the refusal.

The horse can receive faults dealing with time. For ever second the horse goes over the average time allowed to complete the course, the horse will receive one fault per second the horse is over in time.

There is what is called the combination fault and this is when the horse in involved with a course that must go over the same area of the course more than once. Should the horse refuse to do a certain part of the course every time he gets there, then it is four faults for each time. If the horse refused twice, the horse will receive 8 faults not 4 faults.

The type of tack or saddle the horse wears is different for show jumps than for the other types of competitions. It is an English saddle with what is called a close contact design. This gives both the rider and the horse more freedom when they are performing their jumps. They usually have square white saddle pads, the stirrups are shorter. The bridle can be used with any kind of noseband and bits are allowed as long as the official event vet deems that it will not harm 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 would be the Speed Derby, Puissance, a competition where the show jump can get as high as seven feet, Six Bar, riders and horses are required to jump six show jumps that are in a row beginning with the lowest in height to the tallest, Gamblers Choice, the rider picks own course, Maiden or Novice, for horses with only one to six wins, courses are easier and time limits are longer and a lot more.

The show jumps themselves vary as well. The Vertical is one where the horse must jump several different poles place on top of one another and there is no width for the horse to deal with. Another one is the Oxer and what that is, is when they put two Vertical jumps together adding some width to the jump for the horse. The Triple Bar is when they use a fence type jump with three different height bars. They have a Wall jump made up of material to look like bricks and many more types are available.

The two main breeds that frequent these types of competitions are the Warmbloods and of course the Thoroughbred. The competitions however; are not limited to just those two breeds, many horses that have not come from this stock have competed successfully.

by: Anne Graver

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