Jumping horses for fun is actually quite new. Show jumps were added to the Olympics during the nineteenth century. The sport was actually founded because sometime in the eighteenth century, fox hunters were forced to enclose their property for their hunts. This meant building fences. Before that time, there had not been a need for horses to do a great deal of jumping. This meant that not only did the horses have to be trained to perform the jumps but the riders also had to change their styles of riding. The fact that there were these changes made called for a new Saddle, as well, one that did not hinder the horses ability to move about freely. The saddles and bridles of old were restricting and there for the specific purpose of keeping the rider safe from harm.
The reputation of any horse and rider depends on their performance during these special horse show events. The jumps are the only way they can be judged during these shows. They are accompanied by hunters, equitations and other types of competitive riding and jumping offered by these special events.
The regulations state that the horse is to be judged solely on how fast they get around the track and whether or not they are able to finish the track on time. They are not judged for their appearance or grooming. Hunters are the horses that are judged by these things.
Course designers will often make the jumps higher and more difficult the further a horse goes in the circuit. The obstacle that is knocked down by an unsuccessful jump gives the rider and horse a penalty. Refusal to jump or disobedience will also garner a low rating. The horse cannot waste time being obstinate. It must move before all the time runs out.
A rider is sometimes allowed to walk along the track before the actual event, in order to get a better handle on the course. They will determine their speed, their turns, the length between the obstacles and the pace at which they will run their horse through. Planning ahead very often ensures success.
They will need to expect to change their pace at least once through the run of the course. They will need this early inspection to know when to expect these changes.
Jumpers need to be brash, motivated and determined. They need to move as quickly as possible to get through the course in the proper amount of time. They are competing against other fast horses, so their time is extremely important. Judges are not interested in style for show jumpers. They want to see speed and accuracy.
There are different circuits that are joined through the ranks of horse show events. Some are easier than others. The higher classes of the Gran Prix or class A circuits in the US will have the more technical and difficult courses to be found. Show jumps are the one event where horses can show off their jumping skills.
Get the ultimate low down on all you need to know about successful show jumps now in our complete guide to cross country jumps in the UK .
