A typical set of horse jumps consists of hedges, walls, fences and gates. Hedges can be artificial plants in a weighted base, and walls are made with interlocking PVC that's finished to resemble red brick. Fences and gates have freestanding wings approximately four feet tall, and these can be a single standard or designed to resemble an obstacle. Jump cups attach to the wings and serve as rests for the fence rail or poles. Cups are manufactured with steel cotter pins, and the wings have a series of corresponding holes for setting the poles at different heights.
Step 1
Cut two pieces of 4-inch-by-6-inch Douglass fir 48 inches long as standards. Place the pieces flat and mark the locations for the jump cups every 6 inches, starting at one end of each piece. No holes are necessary within 12 inches of the opposite end. Use a cup to determine the distance the hole will be from the narrow edge of the pieces and drill 3/4-inch holes at each of these locations.
Step 2
Cut four pieces of 2-inch-by-6-inch Douglass fir 30 inches long for the base of each standard. Lay the pieces flat and mark locations for two lag bolts near one end of each piece. The bolts will be 2-1/2 inches from the end and 1-1/2 inches in from the edges. Drill 1/4-inch pilot holes at these locations.
Step 3
Slide a washer on each of the 4-inch lag bolts and start the bolts into the pilot holes on each of the base pieces. Align a base piece perpendicular at one end of a standard, and make sure the end is flush with the edge of the standard. Screw the lag bolts into the standard using a socket with a ratchet.
Step 4
Rotate the standard 1/4 turn so the base piece is pointing up, butt another base piece to this one and screw the lag bolts securely into the standard. Attach two more base pieces in the same way to complete the base. Attach the base pieces to the other standard in the same way.
Step 5
Place the standards on the ground and attach a jump cup to each at corresponding holes. Set the standards in the jump field approximately 8-feet apart with the cups facing toward the middle of the jump. Lay the pole in the cups and adjust the width of the standards so the poles have about 1/2 inch clearance at each end.
Tips and Warnings
- Vinyl coated lumber can be used in place of Douglas fir. The pinwheel base configuration can be rimmed with 2-inch-by-6-inch Douglas fir for additional stability.
- Brace all pieces on a stable support before cutting or drilling. Wear eye protection when working with power tools'
Things You'll Need
- 4-inch-by-6-inch Douglas fir
- 2-inch-by-6-inch Douglas fir
- Jump cups
- 3-inch diameter turned spruce poles, 8-feet long
- 3-inch lag bolts with washers
- Reciprocating saw with wood cutting blade
- Socket set with ratchet
- Electric drill
- 1/4-inch drill
- 3/4-inch drill
