A question for showjumpers!

[_Cowgirl_]

I went to watch a show at the weekend where there was a number of events going on, and i was watching the show jumping and i wondered..

how do you remember which way to go on the course?
do you get a chance at the beginning to ride the course?
and how does the system work ie. whats a jumps off?

i have been riding for a number of years but hava never done a show or anything!! i hope to in the future though!!

thanks :) :)

[Cochise]

There is usually a course plan posted at the gate of the ring. You are given a chance to walk the course before you ride it. I usually walk it twice, once to learn it, the second time looking for anything that my horse may object to, what I need to be aware of, how I am going to approach a jump according to what I know of my horses abilities, how I can save time, testing the striding etc.
If I'm not riding early, I usually try to watch a couple of rounds before I warm up, also to learn it and to see how others are doing.
As for the rules concerning jump offs etc, I will leave that to the British riders to answer as there are many different classes with different rules. Here, we sometimes have classes with no jump offs, classes with an instant jump off, and others.....confused? I am! :p

[_Cowgirl_]

ok thanks i understand now!!!........... well .... more than i did before anyway!! :) :)

[Cochise]

No worries Cowgirl! But don't forget, that's just how I do it, as it works for me. Others on here may have a different approach.
And I hope some British people can come on and explain how your jump offs work. :)

[charlotte+jill!]

Ok english girl here lol!! and sorry this is confusing hopefully ill try to make it as clear as possible! :D

First ok, you have your first round jumping if you go clear (ie not knocked any poles, or stopped or crossed your tracks) you go through to the jumpoff which is a shortened course over the same jumps this is held after all the everyone has done their first round. Fastest clear to win.

Then you can have what is called 2 phase were you dont wait till everyone does their first round. You continue to do the jumpoff straight after your own first round. (This is the worst need a good memory!)

Then you can have 2 jump offs. So your have your first round if you go clear you get throught to the first jump off (not against the clock) then if you go clear in that you go through to a 3rd jump off against the clock.

In each one normally the fences are raised for each jumpoff. Hope that helps.

[_Cowgirl_]

:) thanks
1 other question!! whats a tack and turn out show??? i saw a girl have a post on it!!

[Gothika]

A tack and turnout class is where it's judged on how clean the horse, rider and tack are.

[ponytude]

:) I have been to shows where we weren't even able to walk the courses out before hand. They just gave us are courses and gave us atleast the amount of time for the first few classes to go to memorize it :eek: Keeps life exciting though:D

[sophiet88]

Also they have the numbers on posts infront of the jump, however I've always been to focused on the jump to check it's the right one! And if it's a double or triple they'll be labelled #a. #b, #c (# representing the number of the fence).

[cosmic_angel_12]

you have time to walk the course, im some beginner classes (no offence, but i'm thinking thats you due to the post), you can have a caller, or someone to run round with you. At my riding club, you ride the course, but the timer will start timing you when you get to a certain number, i.e 6! This way it cuts time, instead of having numerous jump-offs. The person that will come first will not nesscessairly be the quickest time but some who had a good round with no faults!