Jumping - Finding the Right Spot

Sometimes getting in a little tight can get your horse to ‘snap’ up its knees. But sometimes a little deep can mean a chip and there goes your class. When is a little deep, too deep: when your horse loses its rhythm and causes a loss of flow to the round.

Where Should a Horse Take Off
A horse should take off from the sweet spot. This is located at the middle of the fence, the height of the fence away. Huh? If you are jumping a 3 foot fence the ‘sweet spot’ is located 3 feet away from its base. Similarly, a 2’6” fence has a ‘sweet spot’ 2’6” away from its base.

Getting in a little close can cause some problems. A tight spot, or too close to the jump, can lead to the horse being unable to make the distance, or put the correct number of strides in between jumps. It also leads the horse, jumping over its shoulder, and poor form.

Leaving from a long spot, or too far away from the fence, also encourages bad form and rushing at the fences. Jumping from a long spot makes the horse jump flat and it will sometimes hang a leg and take down a rail. Consistently riding from a long spot can encourage poor from and bad jumping style.

What Makes Your Distance
There are five main factors that determine where your take off is for the jump:

• The height of the jump. The take off point should be approximately the height of the jump away from the fence.
• The length of stride. The longer the stride, the longer your ‘spot’ will be. The shorter your stride the closer you will get to the base of the jump.
• The type or depth of footing. If there is deep footing, horses will be more likely to get closer and take off closer to the base of the fence.
• The type of jump. Verticals are usually jumped slightly farther out from the base than oxers. Horses will bascule over the middle of the oxer, so they will have to get closer to the base to satisfy the width of the obstacle.

• Location of the jump in the course. For example, riding a line from a vertical to an oxer is longer than riding from an oxer to a vertical. This is because of the arc the horse makes when jumping. The horse will physically land further into the line when jumping the oxer first so this will give him less usable space between fences.

If you see a tight distance coming don’t abandon your horse. Sit up, keep your eyes up and keep the energy coming from behind with a closed leg. Sitting up will help the horse to use his hindquarters and be able to lift up its front end out of the way. Keeping him balance and able to use his hindquarters will allow him to jump from a deep distance.


Read more at Suite101: Jumping - Finding the Right Spot: Getting Your Distances

East meets west of a different version

When someone tells me my horse doesn't do flying lead changes... I just can't help but thinking of this video.  If a camel can do tempi changes then so can your horse!





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnsWQ4kNG-w

Selling Horses

Today was an interesting day as we had a guest come by to look at horses. These kind of visits, for me, leave me hanging and wondering if i have done all the right things. I have had horses for a very long time and showing horses for sale always leaves me wondering. Like serving a meal and your guest just leaves without any comment on your dinner.

I showed three horses. All in various price ranges, and stages of training. One horse, 4 yr old gelding (sire is a horse named Tri - colore)did a superb job, jumped a course, did his lead changes, and was as far as Im concerned a star (and i may be a tad biased!) .

The other horse was a little more experienced. A 7 yr old TB mare with some showing experience. She did a wonderful round. The young rider (she is 13) wasn't sure what to expect. She did a wonderful job and showed the horse like a pro. Thanks. The horse yanked its knees up to its eyeballs and cantered down the lines in steady rhythmic fashion.

The final horse has been at this stable for 3 weeks now and although is 5 yrs old has just started jumping last week. her legs are clean and is impeccably bred. (sire = Popeye-K ) She cantered around the little jumps and took them all in stride... literally.

...

I certainly appreciated that they came and looked and knew right away what they liked and didn't continue to jump and jump and jump. Thanks everyone fro a great showing now we wait!....

Welcome and Take a look!

Welcome to Thistle Ridge Stables

At Thistle Ridge Stables we Co-host the Rising Star Series of Horse Show Clinics.

I specialize in the development and training of young horses with emphasis on the development of equestrians through systematic training techniques.

School horses available and freelance instruction/coaching at your stable.

Also available for judging and clinics.

Laura Kelland-May:

• Senior Judge Equine Canada Hunter



• Senior Judge Equine Canada Jumper



• Senior Judge Equine Canada Hack and Equitation



• Recorded Steward Equine Canada Hunter/Jumper



• National Coaching Certification Program Level 2 coach
  
  Horses available for lessons.

Contact me at thistleridge@hotmail.com