1. Jump a Horse for Show
Show jumping is a sport in which horses are guided through an obstacle course that includes a variety of jumps. The horse and rider are judged on a numeric scale based on the time it takes them to complete the course. Deductions are taken for jumps that aren't negotiated successfully. If the horse strikes a jump or causes part of the jump to fall, it's considered a fault, and a specific amount of time is added to the competitor's total. The winner of the competition is the team that completes the course with the fastest time once all the faults are assessed.
2. Jumping With Style
The style and number of jumps used in a show jumping competition depends on the level of the competition itself. The best contenders compete at the Grand Prix level, which is the level of Olympic show jumping. A Grand Prix course includes between 10 and 13 movable jumps that vary in height and width. Every course will include tight turns and a variety of obstacles. There are a number of Grand Prix show jumping events, including the World Equestrian Games and the Pan Am games.
3. Train the Horse, Train the Rider
People of all ages enjoy the sport of horse riding. Children can quickly get comfortable in the saddle; some kids start learning when they're only four years old. You can learn to ride, jump and show horses at an equestrian club in your area. Show jumping coaches can help you improve your seat as you learn to communicate with your horse. The communication between the horse and rider is critical for a show jumper, as the decision to jump must be mutual. In order to develop a show jumper, horse and rider need to receive quality instruction at a qualified equestrian club.
4. No Horsing Around
Horses are slowly trained to take jumps under the supervision of a qualified trainer. Jumps are set up according to the size and age of the horse, as well as the length of his gait. Jumps are initially set up on the ground and the horse is walked over the obstacles. Very gradually, the bar is raised and the horse is taught to jump. If jumps are set up too close together, or set too high, the horse could shy and scare. Once a horse has a negative experience with a jump, it's much harder to convince her to resume jumping.
5. It Takes Two to Show Jump
Show jumping requires a great deal of commitment to be successful. Show jumpers develop a strong self-discipline, timing and patience, and put forth a great effort to care for a horse. Because the horse and rider compete against the clock, the team aspect of equestrian show jumping is often overlooked by those not familiar with the sport. Together, show jumping horses and riders must master the layout of the course, and contend with the weather and the condition of the track.
