Equestrian Sports - Show Jumping

Show Jumping - rather new kind of equestrian sport. Natural ability of the horse to jumps was always used by cavalrymen and hunters for overcoming obstacles. The first official jumping competitions were held in Dublin in 1864, but in the program of the Olympic Games since 1912. The bases of this kind of sports were developed by Frederiko Caprilly (1861 - 1907), Italian expert in equestrian sport, who has established new seat known now as "forward seat", at which a rider moves together with the horse.
Most of the horses in a wild nature jump with pleasure. It is proved, that they magnificent jumpers from a nature. It is difficult for the horses to jump, only when they should carry of weight on a back and simultaneously to keep stability. That is why horse and rider should work together, as to a single unit. Besides, it is necessary to rider to make so that his or her weight was the least handicap for the horse. Rider also should be able "to read out" a fence correctly to move to it the horse. Some riders are better than others estimate distance to fences, and some horses are better than others understand, whence to begin a jump. A natural instinct to jump is necessary to develop by a purposeful training.

Riding a horse over fences has been part of the training of horse and rider since the art of riding began to develop. In the 4th Century BC Xenophon provided instructions on how to jump ditches, banks and hedges. Cavalry charges in the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries would not have been possible without the ability to jump across country. In the 20th Century, the expanding population and industrialisation has reduced the amount of space in which riding is possible. In many places in the world it is no longer possible to ride safely across county negotiating natural fences. There is also a growing and general increase in the desire to compete against others and ride for sport. This situation has resulted in the growing popularity of show jumping.

The horse required for show jumping must move with balance, obeys instantly in any situation and can produce enough jumping ability, speed and agility to satisfy the high demands of today. Every thing a dressage rider requires from a horse must also be demanded from a successful show jumper. The horse must be obedient, the horse must be flexible and in balance, the horses back must be round and carry the rider's weight efficiently. The horse must be able to change lead leg in canter instantly on the rider's commands. The rider must have the ability to shorten and lengthen the horses stride at will. In fact, the show jumping arena is merely a dressage test with obstacles in it.

Look at an international level show-jumper coming into the arena. The horse is round and on the bit with its quarters engaged - ready to release the energy necessary to negotiate the jumps. Success in the higher levels of jumping must of course have a sound foundation in the lower levels. A rider will not make the top in show jumping if he does not have a secure dressage seat and a sound basic knowledge of working the horse on the flat. The art of show jumping is riding the horse between fences so that the horse is fully prepared to jump the jump in balance and be instantly ready to negotiate the next obstacle. The most sensitive parts of the horse when ridden are the mouth and the loins, particularly in jumping. The rider's hands control the forehand while the legs act on the hindquarters. As speed is increased the seat is raised slightly from the saddle, with the back straight and the trunk and hands forward, the lower thighs and the knees taking the weight of the body and gripping the saddle, leaving the legs from the knees down free for impulsion. Contact with the mouth is maintained evenly and continually, the rider conforming with every movement as the horse's head goes forward after takeoff and as it is retracted on landing, the hands always moving in line with the horse's shoulder. In order to give complete freedom to the hindquarters and to the hocks, the rider does not sit back in the saddle until at least two strides after landing.

The horse is a natural jumper, but, if ridden, schooling becomes necessary. Training is started in an enclosed level area by walking the horse, preferably in a snaffle, over a number of bars or poles laid flat on the ground. When the horse has become accustomed to this, its speed is increased. As the horse progresses, the obstacles are systematically raised, varied, and spaced irregularly. The object is to teach the horse: (1) to keep its head down; (2) to approach an obstacle at a quiet, collected, yet energetic pace; (3) to decide how and where to take off; and (4) after landing to proceed quietly to the next obstacle. The horse should be confident over every jump before it is raised and should be familiarized with a variety of obstacles. Only thoroughly trained riders and horses compete. Very strenuous effort is required of the horse, as well as of the rider who does not by any action give the horse the impression that something out of the ordinary is impending. If possible the horse is warmed up by at least a half-hour's walking and trotting before entering the ring. The horse is guided toward the exact centre of every obstacle, the rider looking straight ahead and not looking around after takeoff for any reason, as that might unbalance the horse. The broader the obstacle, the greater the speed of approach. Although a few experienced riders can adjust the horse's stride for a correct takeoff, this should not be necessary with a well-schooled horse. The rider is always made to conform with every action of the horse, the only assistance necessary being that of direction and increasing or decreasing speed according to the obstacle.

All detailed information and news regarding the Show Jumping competitions, results, riders, horses etc. are available in Russian version of our website.