Jump Cheat Sheet

Jump Cheat Sheet – get your related distances right

Now is the right time to immerse yourself in the technicalities of show jumping. Get to know your horses stride length and learn to produce that all clear round. Get more consistent and and get that good feeling of “We did good today”. Here you will find the approximate distances between fences and some hints on what to think of when building a course. There is also a FREE download of the “Jump Cheat Sheet” PDF so that you can print a paper copy to bring with you when out and about or indeed keep handy on your mobile. If you want to know more about strides and how to perfect them there are some useful links below to different exercises.

Jump cheat sheet Download

Showjumping distances – cheat sheet

Trotting poles (directly on the ground)

Horses	1.10 – 1.30m (can be reduced)
14’2 / 148cm ponies	1.00 – 1.10m
13’2 / 138cm ponies	0.90 – 1.00m
12’2 / 128cm ponies	0.80 – 0.90m

For raised trotting poles, please reduce the distance accordingly, usually 10cm or more.

Trotting pole to small fence

Horses	2.20 – 2.50m
14’2 / 148cm ponies	2.10 – 2.40m
13’2 / 138cm ponies	2.00 – 2.20m
12’2 / 128cm ponies	1.80 – 2.00m

Canter poles / distance between a canter pole and a fence

Horses	2.80 – 3.50m (3-4m for a bounce)
14’2 / 148cm ponies	2.70 – 3.10m (2.70-3.5m for a bounce)
13’2 / 138cm ponies	2.40 – 2.90m (2.40-3m for a bounce)
12’2 / 128cm ponies	2.10 – 2.50m (2-2.30m for a bounce)

Distances for practice and competition

Please bear in mind there are many variables when it comes to jumping, you may have to shorten or lengthen the distance accordingly. If you feel unsure about these variables, please visit “Showjumping distances explained” (Youridewedrive – resources).

A combination (or part of a combination) is defined by the British Showjumping Association (BSJA) as two fences no more than 12 m apart, measurement taken at ground level from the rear of the first fence to the ground line of the second).

1 Stride

Horses	6 – 7m
14’2 / 148cm ponies	5.90 – 6.90m
13’2 / 138cm ponies	5.70 – 6.40m
12’2 / 128cm ponies	5.20 – 5.80m

2 Strides

Horses	9.5 – 10.20m
14’2 / 148cm ponies	9.40 – 10m
13’2 / 138cm ponies	8.60 – 9.20m
12’2 / 128cm ponies	7.70 – 8.20

3 Strides

Horses	13.5 – 15m
14’2 / 148cm ponies	12.5 – 14m
13’2 / 138cm ponies	11.5-13m
12’2 / 128cm ponies	10.5 – 12m

4 Strides

Horses	17 – 18.5m
14’2 / 148cm ponies	15.7 – 17m
13’2 / 138cm ponies	14.5 – 16m
12’2 / 128cm ponies	13 – 14.5m

5 Strides

Horses	20.5 – 22.5
14’2 / 148cm ponies	19 – 20.5m
13’2 / 138cm ponies	17.5 – 19m
12’2 / 128cm ponies	15.7 – 17.5m

6 Strides

Horses	23.5 – 26m
14’2 / 148cm ponies	22 – 23.5m
13’2 / 138cm ponies	20 – 22m
12’2 / 128cm ponies	19 – 20.5m

7 Strides

Horses	27 – 30m
14’2 / 148cm ponies	25 – 27m
13’2 / 138cm ponies	23 – 25m
12’2 / 128cm ponies	21 – 23m

Distances over 7 Strides may be counted as unrelated distances. Please bear in mind that all distances are depending on length of stride. If you want to know more about what affects the distances of a horses stride I would like to refer to “Showjumping distances explained” (Youridewedrive – resources) and “Canter strides – learn to manage yours” (Youridewedrive – resources).

Indoors usually means shorter strides as does a smaller arena. Also look at your own horse, does it canter with a long stride or a short stride. Have you got a “good” canter or are you riding in a collected canter /trot.

Enjoy and have FUN!!!