Show jumping: Encyclopedia II - Show jumping - Courses

Show jumping - Courses

There are four types of jumping disciplines: Hunter, Equitation, Jumper (show jumping), and Stadium Jumping Courses (with combined three day eventing).

Show jumping - Hunter

In a hunt seat [1]style course, courses are designed for a smooth, flowing performance of the horse. A rider should demonstrate an even pace over fences simulating those found in the natural hunting field. In competition, the show hunter is judged on its performance, manners, and way of going. An even, steady pace, consistent takeoff distances, good jumping style, long, low movement, and overall smoothness and ease of performance are paramount. If a horse ticks, or touches, the fence he is jumping with his fore or hind legs, a fault is added to the score.

Hunter courses may be in a ring or over an outside course. There are usually eight fences, simple verticles and spreads of a moderate size. Typical hunter fences are natural rails, gates, walls, coops, brush, and logs. A typical hunter course includes a one or two stride in-and-out (combination) and ascending oxers; triple bars and square oxers are prohibited. Because fences are set at standard distances that are based on the 12 foot stride, riders do not walk the course before competition, but ride it off their eye.

In Hunter jumping you aren't allowed to talk, unlike show jumping, Hunter is a traditional type of jumping.

Show jumping - Equitation

Equitation courses are designed to test the skills of the rider. In an equitation class, the rider is judged on his own and his horse's performance over the course, including correct takeoff distance, accurate lines and turns, form and style, and maintenance of an even pace over the entire course. The rider must be both smooth and effective, with aids as subtle as possible. Equitation courses may be held over hunter or jumper style obstacles, including verticles and spreads of to 3'6", one or more combinations and at least two changes of direction. Course designers include tests of technical ability (related distances, bending lines, and combinations, precision (narrow fences), and control (ability to lengthen and shorten strides smoothly, to ride a specific line, and to turn accurately). The horse is expected to be on the correct lead in all turns, so ability to land in the correct lead and execute a smooth flying change is important.

Show jumping - Jumper

Jumper, or show jumping, courses are held over a course of show jumping obstacles, including verticles, spreads, double and triple combinations, and many turns and changes of direction. The purpose is to jump cleanly over a twisting course within a time allowed; jumping faults are incurred for knockdowns only (as compared to ticks), disobedience, and time faults for exceeding time allowance. Tied entries jump over a raised and shortened course; if entries are tied in the jumpoff, the fastest time wins. Riders walk both course and the jumpoff course before competition, to plan their ride.

Jumper courses are highly technical, requiring boldness, scope, power, accuracy, and control; speed is also a factor, especially in jumpoff course and speed classes (in which time counts in the first round). A jumper must jump big, bravely, and fast, but he must also be careful and accurate to avoid knockdowns, and must be balanced and rideable in order to rate and turn accurately. A jumper rider must ride the best line to each fence, saving ground with well-planned turns and lines, and must adjust his horse's stride for each fence and distance, while avoiding knockdowns. In a jumpoff, he must balance the need to go as fast as possible and turn as tight as he can, against his horse's ability to jump cleanly.

-The above 'Courses' not directly quoted but was taken from the United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship-

The horses are allowed a certain number of refusals to take a jump or other obstacle, but fault points are added to their score for each one. Until recently, it was 3 faults, but was changed to 4 faults by the FEI (Federation Equestrian Internationale) as it was decided that it is better for the horse to attempt the jump rather than to refuse it and should therefore not be penalised less for a more severe fault. If they take more than the time allowed for the course, they earn 1/4 fault for each extra second. For every pole that is knocked down, 4 faults are earned.

The final rankings are based on the lowest number of points accumulated. In case of a draw, the horse with the fastest time ranks higher.

To see a round of show jumping, see [2].

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Courses", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki