Horse jumping is an equestrian sport that involves two or more competitors riding a horse over a course of jumps (obstacles that the horse must jump over). The type of horse jumping is determined by the obstacles that the rider must jump. There are three main types of horse jumping: hunters, equitation, and show jumping. Within these categories, there are many subcategories that reflect the different skills needed to ride a horse in each discipline. All jumping disciplines require the horse to be confident and relaxed enough to trust the rider. This means that the horse must be trained to perform under pressure and have a high level of self-control. Even the most experienced rider may struggle to control the horse on certain jumps or when the horse is stressed from other factors such as wind, rain or darkness. This article will tell you more about the different types of horse jumping and help you decide which is best for you.
Hunter Jumping
Hunter jumping is mainly a competition between individual riders. There are several divisions of competition, including the classic, the green, the open, and the youth hunter. Within each of these divisions, the rules vary slightly. For example, the classic competition has specific rules that prevent the use of whips, spurs and other aids such as leg pressure or “heeling” (turning the horse to the left). In contrast, the green competition allows for the use of whips and leg pressure. In both the classic and green divisions, competitors must remain seated on the horse during competition.The open section of the hunter jumping competition allows for the use of any type of training aid, including whips and leg pressure. The youth hunter competition is only for young riders who are not yet 16 years old.
Equitation Jumping
Equitation jumping is a competition between horse-and-rider teams. This is an excellent sport for children and beginners. The rules for the equitation competition are designed to be as easy as possible for the horse and rider team. For example, the rider may be required to remain seated for only a few jumps, and he or she may even be able to touch a jump if the horse is able to clear it. Equitation jumping can be a very exciting sport, especially when you consider that the jumps are often set up in fields or forests, and the competitors may not be able to see the jumps until their horse is close enough to jump.
Show Jumping
Show jumping is an event where teams compete against each other to see who can jump the highest. Teams consist of a horse and rider pair, and each rider may ride a maximum of two or three times during the course of the competition. During the competition, the rider may touch or “bump” the jumps (the rules for the bump vary slightly between the different disciplines). The rider may also be required to walk around the course before jumping. This is called “straddling” the course. Show jumping is a dangerous sport, especially for beginners. The competition jumps are often very high and complex. Riders must be able to control their horse in all types of weather and under a wide range of conditions, including the presence of other riders.
Conclusion
Jumping is a very popular equestrian sport. It is not just limited to the young and old. People of all ages can participate and enjoy this sport. There are many different types of horse jumping, and you must choose the one that suits your personality and riding ability.