4h jump qualifying requirements
prerequisites for jumping
jumping_classes_WP_results
PREREQUISITES FOR 4-H JUMP QUALIFYING
“A training program incorporating flatwork, cavalletti, gymnastic exercises, and practice over single lines, as well as entire courses, is the tried-and-true method that has produced many of the finest horses and horsemen in America” – George Morris
These guidelines address key components of flatwork to prepare for over fence work. Safety for rider and horse is the upmost important feature of horsemanship, even more so when jumping!
Suggested Distances:
Preceding cavalletti work, a gymnastic exercise can be set up. Gymnastics are exercises performed over a series of fences for the purpose of increasing the strength and agility of the horse. Again, correct distances between the poles and fences are crucial in this process!
These guidelines are to help a rider/horse team prepare for over fence work and are not limited to the amount of knowledge suggested for this sport. Please continue to properly educate the team as they progress through the levels so everyone stays safe and has fun!
Suggested reads:
Sally Swift (1985). Centered Riding. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Books
Sally Swift (2002). Centered Riding 2: Further Exploration. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Books
Anna Jane White-Mullin (1992) Winning: A Training and Showing Guide for Hunter Seat Riders. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Books
4-H JUMP QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS
4-H Member riding level:
Must be riding at the Juniors, Intermediate Sr. or Advance Sr. level in 4-H English Flat classes.
Qualifying levels:
Novice: 18 inch cross rail with 10 foot strides in between fences/elements.
Intermediate: 2’3”- 2’6” cross rails/ vertical fences with an 11 foot stride in between fences/elements.
Advance: 2’6” – 3’ fences with 12 foot stride in between fences/elements.
EVALUATING CONTROL OF HORSE ON THE FLAT
WALK - POOR / FAIR /GOOD /MASTERED: _Calm and relaxed walk with the horse maintaining a balance, forward reaching stride while keeping a light connection with the rider’s hands.
TROT - POOR / FAIR / GOOD / MASTERED: Steady, two beat ground covering trot with a rider sitting or posting. The horse remains accepting to the rein connection.
CANTER – POOR / FAIR / GOOD / MASTERED: Correct leads with consistent pace around the arena showing straight lines and bending lines. Hand gallop with a lengthening of stride appropriate to arena size (Rider in two-point position).
EVALUATING WORK OVER FENCES
CROSS RAILS- NOVICE INTERMEDIATE ADVANCE
SEAT - POOR / FAIR /GOOD /MASTERED: A strong quiet leg and a following seat that easily adjusting from the three-point seat and the two-point position. Jumping with, not ahead, of the horse while maintaining “Soft eyes” looking ahead.
HANDS – POOR / FAIR / GOOD / MASTERED: Steady feel of the reins, quiet hands moving with the horse’s motion. A release over fences and never using reins for balance.
CONTROL – POOR / FAIR / GOOD / MASTERED: Straight lines and bends through turns. Correct leads with the horse showing willingness to be guided.
PACE – POOR / FAIR / GOOD / MASTERED_: The speed in which a horse travels. Maintaining a steady stride throughout course and adjusting when need to set up horse for the approach over a fence.
prerequisites for jumping
jumping_classes_WP_results
PREREQUISITES FOR 4-H JUMP QUALIFYING
“A training program incorporating flatwork, cavalletti, gymnastic exercises, and practice over single lines, as well as entire courses, is the tried-and-true method that has produced many of the finest horses and horsemen in America” – George Morris
These guidelines address key components of flatwork to prepare for over fence work. Safety for rider and horse is the upmost important feature of horsemanship, even more so when jumping!
- Rider and horse teams should be able to keep a steady pace at each gait, perform lower-level bending exercises, and perform upward/downward transitions properly.
- It is essential the rider understand a horse’s frame and how to achieve a short frame, medium frame, and long frame. This is important as it will help the horse/ride team flow smoothly through a Hunter course that’s set to a specific stride length.
- Proper shoulder, arms, hands, reins, to bit connection with a gentle contact. No sawing or rough hands!
- Recognize the difference between a three-point seat and a two-point seat and how to move with your horse’s motion in both positions. Having a secure, strong lower leg is important for all riders, especially when jumping to maintain balance!
- A rider should have an understanding of half-halts, how to use the technique, and the perception of when to rebalance the horse. Being able to ask the horse to collect slightly, rebalance, and move with less weight on its forehand will ensure the horses hind legs are more engaged. This maneuver will able your horse to bascule, assuring a flowing smooth Hunters and Equitation course! (To bascule means to arc, like a rainbow, which is what happens to the horses body as he curves up and over a jump.)
Suggested Distances:
- Begin with single poles, walk and trot over (straight lines!)
- Add poles into a series the same distance apart until six can be done successfully in sequence. Set poles apart (measure inside of pole to inside of pole) approximately 4’6” to 4’9” for horses, 4’3” for large ponies, 3’9” for medium ponies, and 3’3” for small ponies.
- Adding a set of standards at final pole will set one up for crossed rails. The spacing between the last pole of the series and standards should be double the distance, between any two cavalletti poles. This allows for take-off! 9’-9’6” for horses, 9’ for large ponies, 8’6” for medium ponies, and 8’ for small ponies.
Preceding cavalletti work, a gymnastic exercise can be set up. Gymnastics are exercises performed over a series of fences for the purpose of increasing the strength and agility of the horse. Again, correct distances between the poles and fences are crucial in this process!
These guidelines are to help a rider/horse team prepare for over fence work and are not limited to the amount of knowledge suggested for this sport. Please continue to properly educate the team as they progress through the levels so everyone stays safe and has fun!
Suggested reads:
Sally Swift (1985). Centered Riding. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Books
Sally Swift (2002). Centered Riding 2: Further Exploration. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Books
Anna Jane White-Mullin (1992) Winning: A Training and Showing Guide for Hunter Seat Riders. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Books
4-H JUMP QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS
4-H Member riding level:
Must be riding at the Juniors, Intermediate Sr. or Advance Sr. level in 4-H English Flat classes.
Qualifying levels:
Novice: 18 inch cross rail with 10 foot strides in between fences/elements.
Intermediate: 2’3”- 2’6” cross rails/ vertical fences with an 11 foot stride in between fences/elements.
Advance: 2’6” – 3’ fences with 12 foot stride in between fences/elements.
EVALUATING CONTROL OF HORSE ON THE FLAT
WALK - POOR / FAIR /GOOD /MASTERED: _Calm and relaxed walk with the horse maintaining a balance, forward reaching stride while keeping a light connection with the rider’s hands.
TROT - POOR / FAIR / GOOD / MASTERED: Steady, two beat ground covering trot with a rider sitting or posting. The horse remains accepting to the rein connection.
CANTER – POOR / FAIR / GOOD / MASTERED: Correct leads with consistent pace around the arena showing straight lines and bending lines. Hand gallop with a lengthening of stride appropriate to arena size (Rider in two-point position).
EVALUATING WORK OVER FENCES
CROSS RAILS- NOVICE INTERMEDIATE ADVANCE
SEAT - POOR / FAIR /GOOD /MASTERED: A strong quiet leg and a following seat that easily adjusting from the three-point seat and the two-point position. Jumping with, not ahead, of the horse while maintaining “Soft eyes” looking ahead.
HANDS – POOR / FAIR / GOOD / MASTERED: Steady feel of the reins, quiet hands moving with the horse’s motion. A release over fences and never using reins for balance.
CONTROL – POOR / FAIR / GOOD / MASTERED: Straight lines and bends through turns. Correct leads with the horse showing willingness to be guided.
PACE – POOR / FAIR / GOOD / MASTERED_: The speed in which a horse travels. Maintaining a steady stride throughout course and adjusting when need to set up horse for the approach over a fence.
