Horse Jumping
A Brief Look at A Couple Classes
Horse Jumping at a show is another option in the horse show world. Like the other disciplines available in showing horses, jumping in any form is usually best with a horse suitable for the physical demands required. Both horse and rider must be of good athletic ability to clear the fences, turn from one fence to another, and maintain bursts of speed. A horse must also be willing to jump the fences and progress through the course in order to show a successful round.
A
hunter horse has a long and low movement with
a sweeping stride. A good hunter horse must also possess an excellent
jumping form. When clearing a fence a hunter horse must tuck its lower
legs under it's forearms to prevent them from bumping the fence. A jumper horse is judged more on the ability to clear a course. A jumper must move big, bold, and fast through the course and is not tallied on its jumping form over the fences. In this division of horse jumping, a horse must have the courage to jump large fences and the athletic ability to handle the sharp turns on the course.
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Different Classes
When looking at jumping as a discipline there are two general categories you can classify horses into, hunters and jumpers. In any type of hunter class the horses are judged more on their quality of movement. Jumpers are judged on the number of fences they clear and the time it takes to clear all the obstacles.Hunter Classes
Hunter courses are usually made up of 8-12 obstacles that do not exceed 4'3" in height. Horses usually jump on level footing in an indoor arena. While completing the course the hunter horse must maintain a good pace with an even rhythm. It is judged on smooth movement around the course, jumping form, and reaching the right spot or the distance of takeoff when reaching a jump.
Hunter classes include equitation, flat classes (no jumping), over-fences, pleasure, and conformation.
Jumper Classes
Consisting of a course of show jumping obstacles, a jumping class requires stamina and strength to get through. When competing in a jumpers class, a horse is judged on clearing a set course in an allotted period of time. A horse is faulted for exceeding this time allowance, knocking down rails, and refusals. Each knockdown or refusal will incur 4 penalty points.
Types of jumper competitions include grand prix, speed derby, puissance (high jump), six-bar (six fences in a straight line), gambler's choice (exhibitors choose their own course), maiden, match race, or touch class (if the horse touches a jump it gets four faults).
