Strides! Show jumping distances explained
On June 10, 2021 by adminShow jumping distances
Counting your strides
Just starting out in Show jumping or competing at top level, distances is something that is more and more important to master. Not only is top level sport getting more and more technical, entry level show jumping is too. Course building trends dictate how show jumping evolves and tricky distances are used to catch riders out. Each and every rider has to know if a distance is long or short and of course how a specific horse will cope and perform.
The Stride
Horses come in all shapes and sizes and all have different abilities. Some dressage horses manage to canter on the spot, Show jumping legend Hugo Simon has even been said to be able to canter backwards to the other extreme – race horses. Simon Rowlands measured the stride length of Frankel in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood to an astounding 8.32m (27.3 foot) (Significance of the stride data – Simon Rowlands). Normally we talk about a stride length of 3.5 meters, but it just is not that simple.
What influences the distance between two fences?
This is a complex question with many answers. Lets break it up!
Surface
The surface plays a huge part in how show jumping distances ride. If the surface is heavy the stride is going to be shorter and therefor the distance between two fences need to be shorter that if the surface is firm. An example of this is sand versus grass. On grass (when the conditions are fairly dry and not sticky) a horse normally has a longer stride and therefor needs more space between fences.
Arena
An indoor arena or a smaller arena is likely to produce shorter strides than if you are riding outdoors in a larger arena, and of course the strides will get even longer if you are eventing or racing.
Gradient
This is definitely a tricky one as it all depends what you are doing. If you are racing, the stride length will get longer downhill. However this is not the case in show jumping (at least not all the time). When jumping we often collect our horses to conform to a certain tempo. When cantering downhill, we will shorten the stride to keep the balance and cadence. Cantering uphill will automatically keep the hind leg power strong, therefor a higher tempo can be maintained, which gives a longer stride. It is especially important to know how your horse reacts to gradients if you enter the world of eventing.
Size of fences
There is definitely a contradiction in this one! If we are talking trotting or canter poles, the poles can be placed further apart if they are placed directly on the ground than if you use blocks (so that the poles are off the ground).
As the fences get higher we yet again need more space and the distances need to be lengthened.
Type of fence – strides and jump curves
Spread fences often need longer distances than uprights, this is because of the curve of the jump. To reach over a spread fence, the curve of the jump needs to be longer and flatter than if we jump an upright. The more extreme tricks of a course designer is to create related distances involving both water jumps and uprights.
The approach to the fence
If you have a long approach to a fence you may have got a good long stride. On the other hand if you get a short approach out of a sharp turn your canter will be shorter. A good example of this is riding in a jump off, this is where many get caught out.
Does your horse stand off a particular fence?
Know your horse! Some horses have dislikes towards certain colours, fence types or fillers. Make sure you practice before you compete. If your horse does decide to look a bit extra, you have to be quick to kick on otherwise the distance to the next fence will be long.
Last but not least – The HORSE
Size of course matters, a small pony will have a shorter stride than a big horse. Size of horse is though not the only thing that matters, we also need to take into consideration breed, temperament, conformation, desire to run. A horse with a lot of knee action often takes shorter strides than a horse with a less pronounced action. A horse with a slopey shoulder often takes longer strides than a horse with a straight shoulder. Nothing is set in stone. Personality means a LOT!!! A golden example is the racehorse Northern Dancer, measuring only 15hh /152cm, he was small compared to his competitors but could produce a stride length of 29ft (8.84m) (pedigreequery.com). A length which is not far off Man O’War´s record of 30ft (9.14m).
Summary
These are some of the parameters deciding how long your horses strides are. There are many more which we will leave for now. As you can probably gather, it is important to know how your horse reacts and operates to achieve perfection and success in the world of show jumping and eventing. Please feel free to download / print the FREE cheat sheet and follow us to get access to a range of exercise ideas to perfect your stride skills.
Links
Keeping straight – how to ride better straight lines.
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