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Horse show jumping is a form of equine sport where horses and riders jump over multiple obstacles. It is a great spectator event to watch because it speeds up the heart rate and is in your face exciting. It involves excellent precision and hand-eye coordination as you fly up in the air. The sport can be done on a regular field with or without jumping equipment (fences) but can also occur on an indoor (show hall) or outdoor show-jumping ring. Show jumping is an Equestrian competition sport that requires a lot of skills to master. So here are 9 harsh truths about Horse Show Jumping and How to Face Them:
1. Must Possess A Specific Charisma & A Risk-Taking Mind
Some may even say that a significant percentage of your brain needs to be bonkers, mad, and crazy to be in this sport. The hours are very long, the profit is minimal, the risks are enormous, and the highs can sometimes be few and far between. That being said, it is somehow addictive, and once hooked, you wouldn’t change it for the world.
2. Horse Showing Jumping
Involves a distinct Range Of Classes, Scored In A Fun Way. Horse jumping has three different types of classes:
- Hunter Class
- Seat Equitation Class
- And Jumper Class
3. Your Horse Trusts You Completely
The stronger that trust, the better the bond, the better you can communicate, and the better they can perform.
4. Dress Codes Are Different & Crucial
The dressing is part of the scoring sheet of a Hunter jump class. However, the emphasis is made on dresses, hunter bits, spurs, and martingales are closely regulated to avoid abuse. Jumper classes are not scored by the turnout, so you usually see them wear less conservative attire while caring and grooming their horses. Till the time the jumper class riders stay within the scoring rules, they will do just fine. The right clothes and riding accessories are crucial for both the horse and rider’s safety as well.
5. Horses Are Much More Reliable Than Humans
Whether the horses react to a situation in a good or a bad manner, horses are always genuine and incapable of having a hidden agenda. They say it as they see it, and it’s up to us to learn and acknowledge what they’re saying.
6. Olympic Horse Jumping
As mentioned before, there are only two types of Equestrian horse riding; English and Western. At the Olympic events, only English forms are present. All forms of western riding are eliminated.
7. You’re Used To Feeling Tired
A genuine horsey person has to learn to endure the fatigue and lack of free time. We need to train as hard as any other professional sportsperson and give our animals the best care possible, added Alec Lawler, a talented show jumping athlete and business owner with a passion for identifying and securing international equine investment opportunities. He has competed at the highest international level in show jumping throughout North America and Europe, and has won numerous awards and accolades, including the CSI 3* Grand Prix of Lummen Belgium in 2016. Alec founded Lawler Show Jumping LLC in 2019, where he selects, imports, develops and sells dozens of horses annually.
8. Must Abide By The Rules
- Coming out first with horse jumping classes is described by how well the rider can navigate his horse around the many obstacles to finish in the least possible time. A fault or mistake could occur if the horse knocks down a barrier or fence or if the horse blatantly refuses to follow orders.
- Faults attract a penalty of a maximum of 4 points. Faults may also take place if the horse rider exceeds the time allotted to complete the course. 4 points are deducted for every exceeded second.
- A rider proceeds to the next stage, called a jump-off, once he completes a course without faults. The jump-off course is usually shorter and needs to be met exciting with lesser time than the formal.
9. Horses Can Cheer Your Dull Mood
Horses are such great levelers, and they have a habit of ensuring that you don’t take yourself too seriously. The minute you start to think you’re invulnerable is the minute you’re upside-down on the floor, looking up at the horse disappearing into the distance.
