Walking The Course

At most show jumping competition the rider is given the opportunity to walk around the course before the class starts. You can make the best of this time by thinking about the fallowing when walking the course.

1.  Find the start markers. In a jumper course, you must pass through these once you get the signal to start, or you will be eliminated.

2. Walk the route you intend to ride. Walk exactly where you intend to go so you can figure out the best place to turn and so on.

3.  As you walk, note the conditions of the ground - are there any bad spots in the ground which you may want to avoid.

4.  Pace out the distances between any combination or related - distances fences.

5.  As you walk any turns, ensure that you really are allowing enough room to get the horse straight and lined up for the next fence.

6. Relate the distance that you measure out to the knowledge you have of your horses stride length.

7. Note where the finish markers are. In a jumper course, you have to pass through these once you have jumped the last fence. This is really important ! When my cousin was younger she was in a jumper competition. Her and another girl were in the jump off, her round was awesome and she was going to win... however she didn't go through the finishing marker and lost ! AHHH Oh well, it happens to the best of us.