how to design a show jumping course

Beginners guide to Showjumping Course Design

1. Jump one Jump one and possibly two should always run down toward the entrance gate. ...
2. The first jump going away from the gate The first jump away from the gate be it jump 2, 3 or 4 is also a very significant jump. ...
3. Corners Allow plenty of room on the corners for the young horse to come round. ...

Full Answer

How many jumps in a show jumping course?

For a grand prix course in show jumping, there are normally between twelve and fourteen jumps and thirteen to sixteen efforts. In other words, a double or triple fence combination counts as one jump.

What are the factors to consider when designing a jump course?

Placement of the fences along the track; 3. Related distances (including not only those in combinations, and with more than two strides between, but also the number of related distances throughout the course and their location); 4. Dimension and type of jump; 5.

What is the process for designing a Grand Prix show jumping course?

FEI Level 4 Course Designer, Guilherme Jorge, explains the process of designing a Grand Prix Show Jumping Course. What’s the process for designing a grand prix course? We start with a plan, to scale, of the ring. For a grand prix course in show jumping, there are normally between twelve and fourteen jumps and thirteen to sixteen efforts.

Are Showhunter jumps good for beginners?

If you follow them it is amazing how well a beginner horse or rider will jump. Showhunter designs generally have a good basic approach, but remember that a showhunter combination has a chance to practice their lines and jumps at the beginning of the day. Showjumpers do not have that luxury.

See more

How do you set up a jump course?

1:028:11Walking Distances & Building a Safe Show Jump Course - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSide get to the center of the joke. Put your butt up next to the row. Three six feet further landingMoreSide get to the center of the joke. Put your butt up next to the row. Three six feet further landing. So the horse should land about you. Now we're going to go on to actually walking the strides.

How do I become an equestrian course designer?

In accordance with GR1004. 2, you must be at least 21 years of age and a Senior active member in good standing of USEF. In addition, applicants must accumulate a minimum of 10 points from Riding and Design Experience. At least 5 points must come from Design Experience and 5 points from Riding Experience.

How do you set up a show jumping grid?

0:044:46A how to guide for jumping a grid! Horse riding Top tips week 9YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to start by setting up just simple can two poles three steps apart as many as you've gotMoreYou want to start by setting up just simple can two poles three steps apart as many as you've got all the way up the long. Side.

How many jumps are in a jumper course?

12-16 jumpsJumper courses, which are technical in nature and typically consist of 12-16 jumps, require strategic riding in addition to a swift pace.

How do you make horse jumps?

1:065:36How To Build Horse Jump Standards Fast | Budget Equestrian - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo now I'm going to show you how I did it so the first thing you'll need to do is figure out howMoreSo now I'm going to show you how I did it so the first thing you'll need to do is figure out how long you want your jump standards to be and then you're going to measure that off on your wood.

How far apart should horse jumps be?

You should be able to ride the two jumps in a comfortable two strides. If your horse has a smaller-than-average stride or a larger-than-average stride, move the jumps in or out, respectively, to make the striding comfortable for your horse.

How far apart should bounce jumps be?

12'There should be a total distance of 12', or four (human) steps between the two jumps.

How many strides do I need for a placing pole?

A placing pole should be put nine feet in front of the fence, which is three paces of three feet each. Placing poles are useful if you or your horse are inexperienced at jumping, and need extra help to find the right take-off point.

What does RT mean in horse jumping?

Round. The riders turn to jump a course. Course. The prescribed order of the jumps in a specific class. Courses are posted in advance so the riders can learn them prior to riding their round.

What is Table 2c in jumpers?

Table II, 2(c)– The table II, 2(c) course format is known as a power and speed. This format splits one course into two phases. The first phase is power, during the power phase the rider wants to stay clear and in the time.

What is Table A in showjumping?

A table A4 is just one round against the clock where combinations are placed on faults and time. Table A is when jumping faults or the first refusal generate 4 penalty points.

How do you space a bounce jump?

0:112:29Measuring Strides Between Jumps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe bounce should measure approximately nine feet which is three human steps.MoreThe bounce should measure approximately nine feet which is three human steps.

How do you set up a bounce jump?

1:021:53Setting Up Trot & Canter Bounces for Horses - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTen feet to the eleven feet between the vertical and the oxer. And the same between the oxer. AndMoreTen feet to the eleven feet between the vertical and the oxer. And the same between the oxer. And the vertical.

How do you count your stride when jumping?

0:010:46Counting Strides and Walking a Jump Course - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEvery human step equals about three feet starting at the first fence. Take one large step to accountMoreEvery human step equals about three feet starting at the first fence. Take one large step to account for the landing.

What is grid work in horse riding?

Gridwork consists of a row of poles and fences set out at the correct distances, allowing your pony to jump them on a good stride. Basic grids have fences with one or two non-jumping strides between them. More advanced grids may include jumps without any strides in between (bounce fences).

What is the forgotten phase of show jumping?

Show jumping is often the “forgotten” phase in combined training: forgotten by riders, who may focus more on their dressage and/or cross-country skills, and forgotten by the event, when significant time/funds must be spent on the cross-country course.

How difficult is it to jump a horse?

Jumps are easy or difficult to jump depending on how the shape (as viewed from the side) interferes with the natural round flight of the horse over the jump (see figure 2). A well-filled ramped (front rail one hole lower than the back) oxer, not too wide, therefore, is the easiest type of jump (see figures 3A & B). It is not necessary to ramp oxers more than one hole. A vertical with a well-defined ground line placed slightly in front would be next on the scale going from easy to difficult (see figures 4A & B). Square (front and back rails the same height) wide oxers or high verticals are the most difficult, because of the adjustments the horse must make in his normal flight to clear an obstacle of this shape. Be sure not to ask the same question over and over again around the course, e.g. all lines or combinations are vertical to oxer. A single fence on its own, with a long approach, can be very difficult to jump, particularly if the equipment used makes it unappealing to the horse. While it is preferable to be imaginative in the use of equipment so all the jumps don’t look the same, avoid the use of “airy” or spooky jumps at the lower levels. Asking multiple questions at the same fence, e.g. a spooky or “airy” jump of maximum dimensions, should be limited to the upper levels, if at all (see figure 5).

Why are small arenas so difficult to design?

While small arenas usually produce a more difficult course, because the lack of space means tighter turns and a specified number of jumps fit into a comparably small area , very large arenas can also prove difficult to design in – particularly at the lower levels – for the opposite reasons; too much space, with the course very spread out.

Why are arenas of irregular shape so interesting?

Arenas of an irregular shape or with one or more distinguishing physical feature (trees, bank, etc.) often produce the most interesting courses, because the course designer is able to use these irregularities while considering the track and placement of the jumps. Take care, however, in the design of lower level courses in irregular arenas, that aspects such as appropriate turns and placement of jumps are still in the proper perspective.

How does frequency affect a course?

The frequency with which jumps are placed on the track and the types of turns used will affect the difficulty of the course , as well as the related distances along the way. Simple courses will have long straight lines and easy sweeping turns, with the jumps located at very regular intervals. More difficult tracks will include more complicated lines and turns, with the jumps sited at varying intervals.

What is course design?

Course design is like writing music, with each course a finished composition. Like a piece of music, every course will have a definite rhythm, with individual notes of varying length and intensity. The track of the course is the entire piece of music; the jumps are the individual notes.

How far from the track should you put a jump?

A good rule of thumb is no closer than 60’ from where the track leaves the end or side of the arena to the front of the jump.