| If you are not sure what exactly show jumps are, then | | | | have close contact with the horse. This kind of saddle |
| this will help explain them for you. They are generally | | | | gives both the horse and rider a lot more freedom |
| affiliated with the English style of horse shows or | | | | when it comes to their show jumps. The saddle pads |
| events. The event is generally called show jumping or | | | | are generally white, they can attach the bridle to any |
| stadium jumping, these are instruments that the horses | | | | kind of noseband and can be equipped with a bit or |
| are trained to jump over in. Show jumping can be an | | | | not. A lot do not use bits. If used, they must get |
| event on its own or it can be combined with other | | | | approval of the official vet before they can use the bit |
| events such as dressing, hunters and several other | | | | on the horse. |
| events. This type of event is done in horse shows all | | | | There are several different types of events that show |
| over the world, you can even find it in the Olympics. | | | | jumps can be found in. One would be the Grand Prix. |
| There are a couple of classes of horses in these | | | | Here the horses are expected to complete ten to |
| shows, one is the hunter class the other is the jumping | | | | sixteen obstacles with the heights going as high as six |
| class. The hunter class is judged by appearance, | | | | and a half feet. This particular event is included in the |
| manners and style, whereas the jumper class is based | | | | Olympics. |
| on a number scale on the ability to follow routines, | | | | Other types that are popular would be, Speed Derby, |
| which jumping over show jumps is part of the routine. | | | | Puissance which is a type of course that may have |
| Hunter class require calmness and style while the | | | | jumps as tall as seven feet high. The Six Bar is a |
| jumper class requires the horse to be bold, fast, | | | | course that has six different jumps for the horse that |
| accurate, power and control. | | | | vary in size beginning with the shortest and ending with |
| There are a variety of different things that will create | | | | the tallest. The Gamblers Choice is a course that the |
| faults that will be given to the horse which will lower its | | | | rider picks for the horse. There is also one called the |
| score. Those would be knockdown or refusals as well | | | | Maiden or Novice which is a course for horses with |
| as time violations. Note that there is no fault given to | | | | very little experience. |
| the horse if the knockdown did not result in making the | | | | There are different styles of show jumps that the |
| jump shorter. That means it is alright for the horse to | | | | horse may have to jump over. The first would be the |
| knock down a bar that is in the middle or the bottom. | | | | Vertical which is several poles that are placed one on |
| If the horse refuses to do a certain jump and it | | | | top of another and no width for the horse to jump. |
| interferes with the competition, that horse can then | | | | There is the Oxer and that is when they take two of |
| receive up to four faults for the one refusal. | | | | the verticals, put them together so that there is more |
| There are time penalties during show jumps as well | | | | width for the horse to jump over. The Triple Bar is a |
| and that is based upon the average time it should take | | | | fence like structure that uses three different bars that |
| to run a certain course and if they go over the | | | | are set at three different heights. The Wall is a jump |
| average time then they will receive one fault for ever | | | | made to look like a brick wall. A combination is where |
| second that they go over the allotted time. | | | | the horse does the same jump two or three times |
| Another fault is called the combination fault. This is | | | | during the course. Plus many more different types of |
| when the course happens to have repeat areas during | | | | jumps. |
| the course and the horse has to go through a | | | | The two main breeds that frequent these types of |
| particular area more than once. Should this area be an | | | | competitions are the Warmbloods and of course the |
| area that the horse refuses to do each time they get | | | | Thoroughbred. The competitions however; are not |
| to that point, they will be given four faults for each | | | | limited to just those two breeds, many horses that |
| refusal. So if the horse decides to refuse that area | | | | have not come from this stock have competed |
| two times in a row, he would receive 8 faults. | | | | successfully. |
| The type of tack or saddle and accessories that a | | | | Get more details and information about how you can |
| horse wears is important to the horse and rider. The | | | | start enjoying show jumps now! Enjoy the excitement |
| saddle is an English saddle that allows the rider to | | | | of participating in horse jumps when you visit today! |