In the days of fox hunting in the English countryside, fences became a problem after new laws had been created requiring them around property borders. To remedy this, horses with the ability to jump such encumbering fences became valued. Horses with a skill for leaping and jumping these barricades became sought after and bragged over. Horse racing had been around for around for ages, but now a demand for competitions between the jumpers lead to Show Jumps in an arena environment.
These kinds of courses look similar in hunter competitions, but hunters are judged more on class, style and how they behave while taking on the challenges. Show jumper courses are often more colorful and technical than the ones laid out for hunters. Hunters are judged on how graceful and well behaved they are in the ring. Show Jumpers are scored strictly on their abilities to complete the course successfully.
Strength and a willingness to perform difficult tasks are qualities Show Jumpers must possess. Their attitudes must be focused on making all the jumps, no matter how well groomed they may or may not be.
The types of jumps in these courses range from vertical jumps that are made of poles placed directly above each other, to ditches filled with water that the horses must successfully jump over. Sometimes two vertical jumps are placed close together to widen the jump. This is called an Oxer. The Square Oxer is when the top poles are equal in height. In the Ascending Oxer, the pole furthest away is higher than the first. The Descending Oxer the pole furthest is lowest. The Swedish Oxer consists of poles that form the shape of an "X" when looking at it straight on.
Some jumps even appear to be walls, which are fittingly called Walls. They aren't as imposing as you might think, being mostly made of soft foam bricks that fall over when bumped into. There is also a three leveled jump known as the Triple Bar which tends to add a great challenge. The Triple Bar has a variation with the center pole as the apex called a Hogsback. Some jumps have a form under them such as flower boxes and gate known as Filler jumps. The Liverpool has its own challenge of pole placed over a pool of water. The most debated jump is the Joker. It tricks the horses senses and isn't always allowed in competitions.
There are combinations of different jumps where a certain amount of strides are allowed between them. If the horse does one, but misses one of the other two, it must start over again from the beginning of the combination. The competing horses are also asked to jump over open water. The Liverpool is a vertical jump where water can be seen sitting underneath it. The last kind of jump up for discussion is The Joker. This jump isn't seen in all competitions. It's reserved for the more advanced courses. In this jump the horse isn't able to judge the height or distance it is to the obstacle.
Show Jumps in all truth, are just what they sound like, shows where the performance is excellence in jumping. The Grand Prix and the Speed Derby are great examples of how splendid these challenging competitions can be. With dedicated and diligent riders and their incredible examples of the equine power and grace. Jumping fences in the pursuit of a fox has turned into something of majesty and inspiration.
These kinds of courses look similar in hunter competitions, but hunters are judged more on class, style and how they behave while taking on the challenges. Show jumper courses are often more colorful and technical than the ones laid out for hunters. Hunters are judged on how graceful and well behaved they are in the ring. Show Jumpers are scored strictly on their abilities to complete the course successfully.
Strength and a willingness to perform difficult tasks are qualities Show Jumpers must possess. Their attitudes must be focused on making all the jumps, no matter how well groomed they may or may not be.
The types of jumps in these courses range from vertical jumps that are made of poles placed directly above each other, to ditches filled with water that the horses must successfully jump over. Sometimes two vertical jumps are placed close together to widen the jump. This is called an Oxer. The Square Oxer is when the top poles are equal in height. In the Ascending Oxer, the pole furthest away is higher than the first. The Descending Oxer the pole furthest is lowest. The Swedish Oxer consists of poles that form the shape of an "X" when looking at it straight on.
Some jumps even appear to be walls, which are fittingly called Walls. They aren't as imposing as you might think, being mostly made of soft foam bricks that fall over when bumped into. There is also a three leveled jump known as the Triple Bar which tends to add a great challenge. The Triple Bar has a variation with the center pole as the apex called a Hogsback. Some jumps have a form under them such as flower boxes and gate known as Filler jumps. The Liverpool has its own challenge of pole placed over a pool of water. The most debated jump is the Joker. It tricks the horses senses and isn't always allowed in competitions.
There are combinations of different jumps where a certain amount of strides are allowed between them. If the horse does one, but misses one of the other two, it must start over again from the beginning of the combination. The competing horses are also asked to jump over open water. The Liverpool is a vertical jump where water can be seen sitting underneath it. The last kind of jump up for discussion is The Joker. This jump isn't seen in all competitions. It's reserved for the more advanced courses. In this jump the horse isn't able to judge the height or distance it is to the obstacle.
Show Jumps in all truth, are just what they sound like, shows where the performance is excellence in jumping. The Grand Prix and the Speed Derby are great examples of how splendid these challenging competitions can be. With dedicated and diligent riders and their incredible examples of the equine power and grace. Jumping fences in the pursuit of a fox has turned into something of majesty and inspiration.
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