Part 2 of 2 Parts. Last month, we came up with a basic plan for analyzing a jump course. This month we’ll look at different types of jumps and the best way to ride each one.

One of the features of the Jumper ring that keeps it so exciting is the variety of jumps that can be used. Although each jump is basically either a vertical or spread effort, there is no limit to the visual design that can go into them. Some jumps are made as optical illusions, and others are made to be really spooky. Let’s take a look at some of the common "problem" jumps that are found in today’s courses.

Liverpools: A Liverpool can be placed in front of, under, or at the front plane of either a vertical, or oxer. They can be "dry", or have water in them, typically will be colored either black, or blue, and will vary in width. Some horses will spook at them quite severely, and all horses will be tempted to look down at the Liverpool, and therefore take their focus off the actual jumping effort required. It is best to have one at home to school over to eliminate the spook factor. Riders should practice keeping their own eye at the top of the jump, and promote their horse to do the same.

















Water Jumps: A water jump can be up to 16’, and will have a takeoff point, as well as a tape on the back to mark the required effort. The horse must clear the tape in back in order to not incur faults. The effort is set either as an open effort, or may include a take off jump (usually a brush box), or have a rail, or rails over the water itself. Again, it is best if you are able to practice jumping the water in a non-horse show setting before asking your horse to do it in the show ring. Water jumps require the rider to open the horse’s stride, and find a deep take off point for best results. The further away the horse leaves from the take off point, the harder it is to clear the tape! Although they look daunting, most often the water is a rider’s problem. If you take into consideration that the average canter stride is 12’, then the average hand gallop will easily cross the distance. A common fault is over-riding the effort from too far away. Do NOT wind up 20 strides out, and come at a mad gallop! Not only will this scare the daylights out of your horse, but it will also leave you with a very unrideable horse after the effort! Much like the Liverpool, it is also important that both rider and horse keep their eye level up.

Skinny Jumps: The "skinny" jump is simply a jump that is constructed of shorter rails. Instead of a 12’, or 16’ rail, an 8’ or 10’ rail is used. This jump tests the rider’s ability to keep their horse’s body straight, and makes sure they are able to steer! Naturally, a shorter rail also means a lighter rail. This makes this style of jump a test of carefulness. It will take a much lighter rub to knock this jump down and incur faults. The skinny should be approached with an elevated, in hand canter for best results. Keeping the horse in hand will help steering issues, and a light elevated canter will promote a careful effort from the horse, and deter the rider from looking for a long, flat distance.

Triple Bars: The triple bar is another daunting looking effort that is usually a rider problem. It is actually a fairly easy jump for a horse to jump, as it gives him plenty of time to bring his forearm up without danger of knocking down the front rail. This jump rides similarly to the water, with less concern as to the horse shifting his focus down. The rider should ensure that the horse has plenty of impulsion, and then look for a deeper takeoff point. Again, this type of effort promotes the horse to stretch his body, and often problems are seen directly after a triple bar, as the horse has landed strung out, and makes a flat effort at the next jump, or is unable to compress the stride to make a tight related distance work well.

Swedish Oxers: The Swedish oxer is a test in straightness. It should be approached one of two ways. If it is met square by horse and rider, the rails will present a V that is lowest in the middle. A drifting front end or twisting hind end will cause the horse to have to clear more height than he has gauged by viewing it straight on. In a situation where the track is not leading you straight away, the jump may be approached on an angle so that the horse can jump low side to low side, and have an easier effort to accomplish. It is up to the rider to make the approach compliment the course, and lead to a clean effort.

We hope this has given you an informative overview of things to keep in mind when walking courses. We feel it is always best to have a professional help you, but that it is also important that you as a rider are able to take some responsibility for examining the course, and giving your horse the best chance possible at confident, clean, and successful performance. We wish you the best of luck in all your Show Jumping endeavors!

Buddy and Vanessa Brown currently live in Bend, Oregon where they own and operate Derby Hill, a successful sales operation that deals in quality Show Jumpers and Hunters. The also train for Diane van den Berg-Eudy’s Euro Pferde Centre, LLC in Bend. They can be reached at: 561-758-3148; vanex2day@aol.com or visit their website: www.derbyhillfarm.com