Horse Jumps

Horse jumps usually range anywhere from 2’6” to 5’ tall, depending on the level of competition. The typical starting height in North American events is 2’7”, but the highest level of performance happens in Grand Prix competitions. High horse jumps in Grand Prix competitions can be as tall as 5’2” or even 6’7”. As a beginner, you should not attempt jumps of this height.

Most horse show jump courses include 8 to 16 horse jumps. For schooling purposes, you can use fewer jumps and jump fences multiple times. Horse jump courses include a variety of verticals, spreads or oxers, and combinations depending on the level and style.

A hunter or equitation course typically includes two to three single fences, and two to three longer lines to showcase smoothness, grace, and style. Higher levels of equitation will include more technical questions for the rider.

A show jumping course will have a variety of 8–12 single and combination fences that require the horse and rider to navigate quickly without faults. If the jumper class includes a jump-off, the course will consist of 5-8 jumps to be ridden as efficiently as possible with the fewest faults.

https://youtu.be/4RD-cwPbB7Y?si=QJIfBX4-EtJm-AcS

Watch top show jump rider Todd Minikus explain different horse jump elements and strategies as he builds, walks and rides a course.

Learning to ride over jumps should be gradual. A beginning rider should learn on an experienced horse, and a green horse should be taught by an experienced rider. Ground poles and cavaletti are a great way to learn skills like steering the horse straight to a target, training your eyes, and working on your balance and position when the horse adjusts the length and height of steps. For horses, these are excellent for learning footwork and improving strength and balance.

Ground pole and cavaletti patterns are endlessly available online. Start with walking and trotting over single poles laid around the arena. Build up to circles, serpentines, angles, and lines of poles set to specific distances between each other.

Cross bars, or cross rails, are an ideal jump for beginners because the lowest point is the center. You can build a crossbar using cavaletti or jump standards with jump cups.

Most horse jump standards include pinholes that can fit a horse jump pole between ground level and five feet tall. For example, Premier Equestrian’s Square Panel Jump Standards can move a jumping pole between 1’6” and 4’9” high. These standards are acceptable for practice and competitive settings for beginners. Anything above this height will only be used by highly experienced competitors.

For starters, you’ll want to get a great instructor and the proper riding equipment. If you want to create your arena complete with horse jumps and necessary training equipment, Premier Equestrian has everything you need to create a world-class facility. A simple set of cavaletti or jump blocks, a set of poles, and schooling standards will get you off to a great start.

There is a variety of high-quality horse jumping equipment to work with. Jumps for horses come in many materials, colors, dimensions, and features, depending on the application. Whatever the application is, Premier Equestrian provides horse jump items, including standards, fillers, flower boxes, gates, cavaletti blocks, and more. Our show jumps are manufactured from safe and durable materials to withstand the rigors or training and time.

The most obvious difference is that dressage is all done without obstacles. Dressage focuses more on the precision of movements inside a dressage arena with dressage letters. Horse and rider develop and demonstrate specific, progressive skills at each level during a dressage test, from introductory to Grand Prix.

There are different styles within horse jumping, like hunters, equitation, derby, cross country, and show jumping. Each has its own style, rules, and challenges. Jumping equipment can be very specific within each jumping style. Hunters are judged by the horse’s form, style, and smoothness over fences. Cross country utilizes natural jumps, like logs, water, and ditches. Show jumping usually has airy, colorful jumps, and riders navigate a jump course with the fewest faults and fastest time.

Eventing is the equivalent of a triathlon. The horse and rider combination competes in dressage, cross country, and show jumping, all in one competition.