Why do people love Show Jumping?

Why love Show Jumping?

Most non-horse riders don't understand why most riders would want to do horse riding when it's life threatening, dangerous, time consuming, expensive and a lot of work.

There are so many reasons why riders love it!

Most people do it because they love it and enjoy spending time with an animal. They have doing it because there is always new to learn, new experiences or some just do it as a sport or for fun and/or hacking around.

WHY?

Most show jumpers do it to compete.

To feel as if they have achieved something.

To achieve being able to control a horse, a live animal, through a jumping course. 

Others do it for fun. 

Some do it because it's an amazing experience to be able to "fly" through the air.

Most can do it to gain a partnership with their horse.

Others do it for the thrill and excitement of jumping high.

Some might only do it to do competition and win.

Show jumping is loads of fun and there is so much you can learn at your own pace. It's known as a sport where you can learn something new every day. 

If you feel scared to do it, I would just say go for it because its a lifetime experience!

Heights and Widths

Heights,Widths and Design for Jumps

Obviously all jumps can be made bigger(taller) or smaller(lower). They width can also vary depending on the jumps that are built or the fillers that are put in between or under the jump.

Heights can be changed by a wing with holes that hold the poles up and that adjust the heights. This can go up by 5cm or 10cm each hole. there is a manual wings which you physically have to change the height otherwise there is an automatic wings which you can push a button to adjust the different height.

Widths normally stay the same in Show Jumping which is the width of a pole. However 1 jump can be made consisting of two poles that are separated to a specific width depending on the course.
Most commonly in a cross country the width of the jumps are quit extensive and can have large scales rather than normal show jumping.

Design of jumps can be built,painted and shaped to anything. 
In jumping competition, they are often brightly colored and designed creatively.
 In hunting and show jumping competition, obstacles are constructed to fall down if struck by the horse so these are normally just pole jumps with different fillers for a design.
 In eventing, they are built to be solid, certain components will be designed to break away if hit.

Highest Jump Recorded

Record Jumping 

In horse riding jumps can vary from different heights. the lowest height is know as pole on the ground and the highest jump that has been made was 2.47m.

This was made clear by a horse named Huaso ex-Faithful. He was ridden by Capt. Alberto Larraguibel Morales and made record on the 5 February 1949.

This record still stays unbeaten after 66 years. In order to be beat the world record, 2.49 m must be cleared. However because only 20-30 people watched this record being made it wasn't "counted" as the highest jump. Even though it was, many say that their was no one who was qualified and accountable that measured the jump.

Most say and count that the highest jump is 2.32m instead of 2.47m because it was jumped in front of a crowd, even though both of these performances were taken on video.

Dangers

Show Jumping Dangers

Horse riding is one of the most dangerous sports there are.

 It's a sport where you have to deal, control and compete with a live animal. 

Horses have their own mind sets and can have off days which can cause many dangers especially when Jumping.

Any form of show jumping is considered dangerous if you are not careful. To try and train a horse not to refuse 10-14 jumps that are made to look scary to try 'test the horses skills' can be quite difficult and can have many challenges. Horses are able to stop before the jump, quickly step to the side or even throw you off and over the jump when doing a jumping course. These could all land you up falling on the floor. 

Horses mood can also affect the jumping course. Horses can decide in the arena to throw, buck, rear and gallop across the arena to try and avoid jumping. This could also lead to falling.

Falling is quite painful considering you are landing on the floor. Falling off a horse and just landing onto the floor isn't the worse thing that could happen. When falling many can get dragged by the horse, stepped on, rolled over/on and even kicked. This can lead to broken bones, scars, bruises, injuries and maybe death.

Phases of the Jump

The Four Phases of a Jump

  Approach

The horse: Accurately places all 4 legs during the final stride before the take off over the jump.

The rider: Keeps an even steady rhythm and looks straight ahead to the jump.

Take Off

The horse: Pauses slightly to prepare hind legs to lift off  and over the jump.

The rider: Transfers all weight in to their heels and slightly leans forwards to prepare to go over the jump.

Flight

The horse: Creates an arch ( U shape) over the jump and brings up hind legs to avoid knocking the jump.

The rider: Maintains leg and heel position and follows the motion of  the horse's neck by releasing hands and allowing freedom for horse to jump.

Landing

The horse: Lands on the non leading foreleg of the gait (movement) first before other legs follow.

The rider: Sinks into heels to absorb impact of the landing and lean back into current riding position.

Jumping Position

The jumping position is used when jumping over different jumping obstacle. 

It is known as the:

• Forward Seat 
• Light Seat

The seat position:

For jumping your stirrups need to be short this allowing you to get into the jumping position quickly making it comfortable for you and the horse. 

Both legs of the rider must be gently placed by the girth line of the horse. While going over the jump the rider must slightly stand and bend there back a bit forward, placing all the weight into their heels while still having a bend in the knee. 

Half way over the jump the seat position must be returned to sitting in the saddle so that when the horse lands the rider doesn't get jerked forward.

 After landing look ahead to where your next jump, and slightly move your hands a little up the horse’s neck to allow him freedom to jump.

Important to remember!

The first thing to remember is that the correct jumping position must be comfortable for you, the rider, and the horse.  Go with the rhythm of the horse over jumps, try not to be ahead or behind in the horses rhythm. 

The rider must insure that the lower leg position must stay the same and not allow it to drift backwards. 

The higher the jump gets the more the rider must lean forwards.

Top Tips for general riding position: 

• Push your weight of your body down into your heels. 
• Keep your legs as still as possible to try and maintain your balance and strength over the jumps.
• Try to only use your legs to keep yourself in this position and never pull up with your hands.