Introduction to Show Jumping

Show jumping, one of the three Olympic equestrian sports, offers a captivating blend of speed and precision that appeals to both riders and non-equestrians. Its format is easy to understand, making it a fantastic spectator sport. In this guide, we delve deep into the world of show jumping, covering its history, terminology, equipment, and the thrill it offers.

A Brief History of Show Jumping

Show jumping made its debut as an Olympic sport in 1900, though the format we recognize today evolved over the years. Initially, there were no penalties for knocking down rails, but in 1912, the current format, featuring a 10-12 jump course with penalties for faults, was established. The excitement reaches its peak in the jump-off, where speed and accuracy determine the winner. Variations like “speed rounds” and unique competition formats add to the sport’s diversity.

What Makes Show Jumping Exciting?

Show jumping stands out due to its ever-changing courses and intricately designed fences. Course designers constantly challenge riders with spooky obstacles that require courage and skill to overcome. The real thrill, however, lies in the jump-off. Imagine riding a clear round and then competing against the clock, executing tight turns and strategic planning to minimize your time while ensuring your horse clears each jump flawlessly.

Show Jumping Disciplines

Show jumping encompasses various disciplines, each with its own rules and objectives:

Hunters

Modern hunter classes focus on the horse’s movement and performance over fences. Judges assess the horse’s manners, consistency, and style, scoring them on a scale of 0-100.

Jumpers

Jumping classes prioritize speed and accuracy. Riders must complete the course within a set time while avoiding faults, such as refusing jumps or knocking over rails.

Cross Country

Cross-country jumping occurs outdoors and involves natural obstacles like ditches, streams, and fences. It tests a horse’s endurance and jumping ability.

Three-Day Eventing

This discipline combines dressage, cross-country, and show jumping, evaluating horse and rider in all three phases.

Equitation

Equitation classes assess the rider’s skill and ability to navigate fences with precision and proper form.

Understanding Show Jumping Terminology

Show jumping has a rich lexicon that might confuse newcomers. Let’s clarify some essential terms:

• Faults: Penalty points awarded for knocking down rails or refusing fences. Each fault is worth 4 points.
• Oxers: Fences with two jumps set parallel to each other, making them wider and more challenging.
• Open water: A wide water obstacle that horses must clear without knocking a rail or landing in the water.
• Jump standards: Posts on either side of the jump, holding up the rails. They can be height-adjusted.
• Vertical: A standalone fence with horizontal poles going straight across, known for its vertical height.
• Inside turn: Taking a tighter turn to reach the next jump quickly, often used in jump-offs.
• Chipping: When a horse takes off too close to a jump, resulting in an awkward half stride.
• Long distance: When a horse takes off too early, requiring a wider jump effort.

Equipment and Attire

Both rider and horse require specific gear for show jumping:

For the Rider

1. ASTM/SEI approved helmet (black).
2. Show jacket (black, navy, hunter green, scarlet, or grey).
3. Collared shirt (white or light-colored).
4. Stock tie or choker (sometimes integrated into the shirt).
5. Breeches (white or fawn).
6. Tall boot socks.
7. Field boots (traditionally black).
8. Gloves (traditionally black).
9. Safety vest (optional).
10. Spurs (optional).
11. Whip (optional).

For the Horse

1. Bridle (black or brown).
2. Legal bit for competition or a legal bitless bridle.
3. Standing or running martingale.
4. Jumping saddle.
5. Stirrups (preferably safety stirrups).
6. Saddle pad.
7. Boots or leg protectors (not allowed in the Hunter ring).
8. Girth (optional: stud guard).

Getting Started in Show Jumping

Before you dive into jumping, mastering the fundamentals of riding on the flat is crucial. Enroll in lessons with a qualified instructor to learn how to effectively:

• Use your legs to command the horse and maintain balance.
• Balance in the saddle to avoid sitting too heavily or losing balance.
• Handle the reins with precision without causing discomfort to the horse.
• Ride comfortably at walk, trot, and canter, while steering with ease.

Practice half-seat at trot and canter, preparing you for the jumping position required to stay with the horse over fences. Trot and canter poles on the ground further hone your timing, stride counting, and cueing skills.

Choosing the Right Horse

For beginners, riding a seasoned horse, often called a “schoolmaster,” is ideal. These experienced horses can accommodate rider mistakes and boost confidence. However, selecting the right horse is essential, whether you opt for a schoolmaster or a pony for young riders.

Show jumping is a thrilling sport that offers endless opportunities for growth and excitement. As you embark on your journey into the world of show jumping, remember that safety and learning go hand in hand. Equip yourself with the necessary knowledge and gear, find the right horse, and master the basics before taking on the exhilarating world of show jumping.

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Why they keep breeding stunted horses?

There is something incredibly fascinating about the world of horse breeding. However, one question has always stood out to me – why do breeders continue to produce stunted horses? While some may view these animals as inferior or undesirable, to me they are a unique and captivating representation of the wonders of nature. By understanding what it takes to create a successful breeding program for stunted horses, we can better appreciate the hard work, dedication, and passion that these breeders put into their craft. So let’s delve deeper into this curious world and discover the magic behind breeding stunted horses!

Which breeds of stunted horses are the most popular in the world?

There’s no denying that miniature horses are endlessly charming. They’re like little ponies that never quite grew up, and the world can’t seem to get enough of them. But did you know that not all miniature horses are the same? In fact, there are several breeds of stunted horses that are beloved the world over for their unique personalities and adorable appearances. Whether you’re a fan of the classic American Miniature Horse, the quirky Falabella from Argentina, or the pint-sized Shetland Pony, you’re sure to find a breed of stunted horse that captures your heart. So why not explore the world of miniature horses and discover the joy of owning one of these precious creatures for yourself?

At what age children can start learning to ride horses

Horses are truly beautiful creatures that can provide a unique learning experience for children of all ages. If you’ve ever watched a young child riding a horse, you know the joy and excitement that comes with it. But when is the right age to start introducing children to equestrian life? The answer might surprise you! Believe it or not, children as young as three years old can start learning to ride horses! Of course, at that age, they will be under close supervision and won’t be doing anything too advanced, but it’s never too early to start getting them comfortable around horses. As children grow older, they can start taking lessons and learning more advanced riding techniques. So if you have a little one who is curious about horses, why not give them a chance to experience the magic for themselves?

How to teach a child to handle and understand horses

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of the equine world with your child? Teaching them how to understand and handle horses is an exciting and empowering experience for both of you. By starting with the basics of horse behavior and body language, your child can learn how to approach and interact with these majestic animals with confidence and respect. As they develop their knowledge and skills, they’ll also discover the joys of horseback riding and the unique relationship that can form between horse and rider. With your guidance and support, your child can become a true horse whisperer and embark on a new adventure in their young life.

The most famous jockey schools in the world

Get ready to saddle up and ride like the wind because we are about to explore the most renowned jockey schools across the planet! From the United States to Ireland and beyond, these schools have produced some of the most talented horse racing jockeys in history. With rigorous training and extensive hands-on experience, these schools have earned their spot on the map. If you’re looking to become the next jockey superstar, these schools are the ultimate destination. So, grab your helmets and boots, it’s time to gallop towards greatness.

From what age children are eligible to race as jockeys

Get ready to saddle up, because it’s never too early to start chasing your dreams! When it comes to horse racing, there’s no age limit on ambition. Children as young as eight years old can begin training to become jockeys and ride horses professionally. Not only does this offer them an exciting opportunity to showcase their skills and love for the sport, but it also provides a pathway for future success in the racing world. So, if you know a pint-sized horse enthusiast who is ready to take the reins (quite literally), encourage them to pursue their passion and become the next great jockey!

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The average horse can travel up to 25 miles in a day

Horses have long been integral to human history for their many uses, from pulling carriages to carrying people into battle. However, what some may not realize is a horse’s capability for travel. An average horse can traverse up to 25 miles in one day, an impressive feat that explains why they have been such important transportation throughout the ages. This ability was occasionally pushed to its absolute limits when needed, with some even covering more than 200 miles in a week! While today these qualities are utilized mainly for sport and leisurely riding, it is always refreshing to remember how much power lies within the hooves of these remarkable creatures.

If the terrain is good, a horse can cover even more ground

Riding a horse into unknown terrain can be an exhilarating and exciting experience; it is even better when the terrain is good. With such conditions, and depending on the horse’s abilities and strength, a rider can traverse more ground in a shorter amount of time. Depending on where the rider goes, they can experience different scenery in a far more unique way than other travelers on foot. Although conquering unknown terrain can bring its own set of challenges, if you have an experienced horse and stumble across decent ground, there’s no telling how far you can go or what you may find along the way!

A horse’s speed depends on its breed – some horses can gallop at up to 40 miles per hour!

To truly understand how a horse’s speed is determined by its breed, research is required. A research paper was done to learn more about the physical and physiological capabilities of a horse’s different breeds and how specific characteristics could affect the horsepower. The results were quite astounding: research showed that some horses have the ability to gallop at up to 40 miles per hour! Breed is certainly an influential factor when considering just how fast a horse can run, as it looks like certain breeds have been gifted with higher levels of speed than others. Knowing this information can help ensure that horses are matched with the appropriate sport, so they can put their best foot forward in attaining successful results.

Horses need to rest every few hours, so they usually don’t travel for more than 8 hours in a day

Horses require more rest than humans do, since they need to take breaks every few hours for health and safety reasons. Longer travel times can be particularly dangerous if the horse is carrying a rider. If a horse is asked to work for more than 8 hours in the day, it could lead to serious physical damage or injury due to exhaustion. For these reasons, horses rarely travel longer than 8 hours in a single day, making shorter trips that are much safer and healthier. Thinking of your horse’s wellbeing should be one of your top priorities!

If you’re planning a long journey on horseback, make sure to plan ahead and bring plenty of food and water for both you and your mount

When planning for a long journey on horseback, it is important to not underestimate the resources you will need. Proper planning and preparation ahead of time can make all the difference. Make sure to bring plenty of food and water for yourself, as well as extra feed for your horse. Not only will this provide sustenance during the trip but also ensure that your mount stays healthy and able to make the journey without issue. Taking the time to plan a few extra days into your travel schedule may be necessary for unpredictable delays and would allow for rest when needed. Above all else, be sure to research any waters or pastures ahead of time so both yourself and your animal have everything they need along the way.

If you’re planning a long journey on horseback, it’s important to plan ahead and factor in pit stops for both you and your mount. The average horse can travel up to 25 miles in a day, but if the terrain is good they can cover even more ground. Just be sure to take into account that horses need to rest every few hours, so they usually don’t travel for more than 8 hours in a day. By taking these things into consideration, you can ensure that both you and your horse have a safe and enjoyable journey!

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Not only do esports players need to know what their goals are, but they also need to learn how to overcome challenges. One way is through physical training of a painful nature. The kind where you have to be patient: cross country, football, basketball, and others.

Physical training is the secret to successful eSports players

ESports is a competition of the mind. They have to react instantly to the situation, make the right decisions, and choose the right tactics. Besides, they need to switch and perform several tasks simultaneously quickly.

Big responsibility to the team, high stakes, and hundreds of thousands of spectators lead to strong emotional tension and stress. A player who is physically prepared is better able to cope with it.

Why do eSports players train their bodies?

To perform well in tournaments, players regularly spend 6-12 hours a day training in front of the computer while sitting in a seated position. This not only affects their morale but also leads to serious health problems.

The sedentary lifestyle causes diseases like scoliosis, osteochondrosis, radiculitis, and, of course, obesity. We shouldn’t forget about tunnel syndrome, a neurological condition that causes numbness in the hand and pain. Tunnel syndrome is a kind of occupational disease of eSports players, arising from the need to perform rapid small movements of the wrist constantly.

ESports players work hard to prevent the development of this disease. Tunnel syndrome can completely ruin a player’s career. Constant pain and numbness in the wrist will prevent you from training and participating in tournaments. A pumped-up body can be his thing, like the professional player pashaBiceps, which the entire community associates with the word “biceps.

A professional CS:GO player who played for Virtus.pro. His real name is Yaroslav, and he became well known not only because of his good game but also because of his athletic physique. Yaroslav often showed good results in tournaments and emphasized the size of his biceps unobtrusively. It was his thing, so he earned popularity, stood out from other players, and was loved by the audience.

Tal Fly Aizik

Tal Fly Aizik is a professional player in Dota 2, occupying the position of a supporter in the Evil Genius team. In addition to eSports, Fly is engaged in sports and martial arts. This is not surprising since his father is multiple champion of Israel in judo.

Fly pays a lot of attention to his physical shape. He says he often draws parallels between regular sports and playing Dota 2 and believes his passion for martial arts helped him achieve such high results.

Other eSports players

Many eSports players dedicate time to physical fitness. Zeus, Edward, Lil, Pimp, and many other players play sports. They do not pursue the goal of “getting pumped up,” but through physical activity, they improve their health and reduce their risk of disease, including tunnel syndrome.

How does physical training help win?

Physical fitness develops discipline, self-confidence, and stress resistance. When the body experiences serious physical exertion, the brain fights the urge to stop it, forces itself to ignore muscle pain. This develops self-discipline, one learns to tolerate stressful situations, one has confidence in one’s abilities.

Sports and eSportss are very similar; eSportss develop the brain to a greater extent than sports develop the body. But self-discipline and stress tolerance are qualities of the brain that are also developed through physical activity.

Good physical fitness gives a greater advantage over your opponents. Many scientific studies show that intense physical activity, including aerobic exercise, improves brain blood flow, improves thinking activity, reduces mental stress, and positively affects human health. This is also very important for eSports players.

But the main thing is not even in the improvement of sports results, but in the fact that the team became more emotionally stable, balanced, and focused. It’s no secret that sports, training, and physical activity are good for a person’s mental health. 

There is an opinion that a few years of serious intellectual work at the computer without physical exertion and quality rest is very likely to lead to mental disorders, including depression. This is not only true for eSports players.

Gamers used to play 10-11 hours a day, snacking on pizza while drinking energy drinks. It was considered the model of successful gaming and the path to success. But in the last couple of years, some companies are starting to transition their teams to a professional training methodology.

The post What sports do eSports players play in addition to their main activity? appeared first on Cha-ahse.

From the ground:
Throw the reins around your horse’s neck and walk to your left, keeping your left hand with the reins at your horse’s withers.
Keeping the reins in contact, grasp the mane with your hand.
Place your left foot in the stirrup.
With your right hand grasp the back bow or the opposite side of the saddle. Remember that not all saddles can withstand grasping the bow, for example, the high bow of a dressage saddle may break if you lean on it often when seated.
In a one-two-three push your right foot off the ground and resting your left foot in the stirrup, bring it to the other side of the horse, gently lowering into the saddle.
Catch the second stirrup.

From the elevation:
Bring the horse to the dais with his left side, give the command to stand.
Throw the reins around the neck and hold the horse by the reins and stand on the dais. 3.
Dial the reins to contact.
Put your left foot in the stirrup, bring your right foot over the horse and sit down gently.
Catch the second stirrup.

If the horse doesn’t want to stand still when sitting down, sags, goes to the side or tries to bite, ask the trainer to hold him down. Once in the saddle, do not let the horse go immediately, if he tries to move immediately after touching your buttocks to the saddle, insist that he stop.

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We want to clarify that it is best to apply all the tips and master the canter on a reliable calm horse with a soft gallop, when you are held in the corral and you can concentrate on how you feel, not distracted by controlling the horse and maintaining the gait.

Don’t get caught up in the process of riding. It really is difficult, but you need to relax and exhale as much as possible. Two gallop tempos – inhale, two – exhale. You can sing songs or tell poems. It is a common practice, and it is not so important what to do – even if it’s chapters from your favorite book recited aloud or counting the trees and bushes around. The whole problem is that when a person is not accustomed to a given gait, he unwittingly starts using his brain to control his body while riding, not allowing his body to work on its own in time. Trying to ride “properly” causes the rider to be late, to flatten out, and to clamp down more and more. Bottom line – you just have to disconnect the rider’s head from the riding process by occupying the brain with something else. As ridiculous as it may sound, muscles clamped by the brain should not be expected to be flexible and work properly. A jammed gallop will only give the rider back and neck pain, as well as unnecessary strain on the horse’s back.

Be aware of your natural reactions to a stressful situation. Whether the rider wants to or not, but one of the most common mistakes is to roll the body forward at fast gaits, when the rider automatically tries to curl into a fetal position. This is especially true when at the initial stage you have to hold on to the saddle. Hands as if by themselves pull a person forward and down, making him literally curl up. How to avoid this? Exaggeratedly lean back. By leaning back and using the arms as cables of a suspension bridge, it would be easier for the rider to use the lower back. This measure is temporary, and of course it is wrong to ride in this position all the time. But once the rider gets a feel for the lumbar work and sits firmly in the saddle, he can begin to gradually straighten out, adopting the classic riding position.
This can also include riding without stirrups. At first, such seemingly comfortable stirrups can become a hindrance, aggravating an already unstable position. Very often beginners tense the leg muscles, unnoticed by themselves rising up in the stirrups, rising above the saddle, and together with the forward bend the novice rider deprives himself of the balance. Without stirrups the weight of one’s legs will press the rider more tightly to the saddle, which in itself ensures greater stability.

One should not rush to gallop without arms. Firstly, one should put oneself in the saddle, after which the necessity to hold oneself will disappear by itself. And if there is an urgent need to let go of the saddle, you should never do it sharply. Smooth and measured – at first just unclench your fingers one by one, only then try to take your hands one by one away from the saddle. Little by little, letting yourself get used to it. The desire to develop faster is good, but do not forget that any case should be approached wisely. And haste in this case can only set the rider back a step, slowing down the learning process.

Also, exercises can help to acquire a stable position at canter. Let me repeat: exercises at canter are best done on a calm horse with soft gaits which is used to a variety of movements of riders on its back. It is extremely desirable that a trainer, an instructor or at least an experienced friend should hold you at the cord. It’s much safer this way, you are not distracted by the control of the horse and the control of the gait, and the person from the ground will tell you if you are doing everything right.
As soon as the rider feels minimal confidence that he or she is not planning to fall right now, and can release at least one hand, you can start to try the exercise.

With one hand free, you should put it straight to the side and gently turn your whole body and gently place your palm on the horse’s croup from above. This position will help to feel the oscillating movements that the horse’s back makes and the rider’s loin should make. It should be done to both sides in turn, preferably changing the direction of the gallop in the same way.

The rider cannot ride all his life with his hand on the horse’s butt, therefore one should start to straighten up. This is done from an arm-supported position by slowly raising the palm over the horse’s body and gently straightening the body. There is no need to try to sit straight on the first round, it would be enough just to stop touching and only when you feel confident in this position you can turn the body to the normal position and put your hand back to front. The main thing is smoothness, there is no need to be “heroic.

In addition to all of the above, the distraction, which we talked about in the first part of the article, will help you to free your hands completely and loosen them. Already have one hand free and you do not fall anywhere? Great. Don’t forget to tilt your body back a bit, but stay in your normal posture and fix your own collar (helmet, belt, plait, etc.) with your hand. The longer the action takes, the better. At the same time, in parallel with all this, you should not forget that you can try to let go of two hands. However, it is worth remembering that you should not do anything with them at once. Try to unclench the fingers of both hands, holding them close to the saddle, just as gradually as with one hand already both taking them farther and farther away. Ideally, after taking both hands away from the saddle, you should be able to use both hands to take off and put on the hood, for example, while still sitting at a gallop.

There are some general guidelines, which are difficult to call exercises and which do not make sense to describe each in a separate paragraph. Do not forget about the training trot and step. It is worth to listen to your sensations at a good wide trot (with eyes closed and relaxed) and trot. It is extremely important not to forget the need to look forward or even slightly upwards. Imagine you have an obstacle ahead, look for it with your eyes and never look at the horse’s ears or neck, let alone at your hands.

Don’t get too upset when something doesn’t come out right away. The gallop is not as scary as they sometimes tell you about it. It is a wonderful comfortable gait that gives the rider a sense of flight and oneness with the horse. Patience, work on yourself and perseverance will help you overcome all difficulties!

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Try to slow down with the reins, shift your weight back. Increase the work of your hands as you become disobedient, but do it without harsh jerks. Don’t hang on the reins – a horse that gets an even hold on the reins can increase the speed!

Parallel to the brakes with the reins add your voice, try to calm the horse down with it.

If there is space, try to get the horse on the reins. In the case of the field, you need to see the ground. If the terrain is not familiar to you and there is no opportunity to see what is underfoot (high grass, deep snow, etc.), this option is not considered. Further 2 variants of events. Either your actions have helped and all is great, or not and we must think further. Do not panic! What to do if there is no place to start:

Think about what lies ahead. Check to see if the horse is in control, can turn or is just dragging uncontrollably. If it can, prepare for possible maneuvers and try to still find a place for a safe volt.

If the horse doesn’t steer, but has somewhere to run in a straight line. Get into a stable field landing and wait until you run out of “gasoline.”

If there is nowhere to run, no chance to turn, the horse is not slowing down and there is more danger ahead than a potential fall injury (track, dense forest, ravine), we choose a place and jump.

It is clear that many situations happen unpredictably. The grouse that suddenly flew out from under the hoofs didn’t ask you about a convenient place for the spread. But in general, try to choose places for cantering with good, long straights. Do not gallop towards the tracks, ravines, dense plantings. Try to stay calm and think cool in any force majeure. This way you can solve the problem and save yourself and your horse from injury.

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