Jumping in Horseback Riding

Jumping in horseback riding is an exciting equestrian sport—involving guiding your horse to jump over various obstacles—but even if you don’t compete, it’s an activity that can be enjoyable for you and your horse. Plus, it is valuable to know how to go over a jump in a way that's safe and comfortable for both of you.

Many beginner riders are drawn to stadium jumping and cross-country jumping. Field hunting and hunter shows are also very popular. Even Western riders encounter occasional jumps, whether in trail classes or while riding on trails. While you might not want a career in jumping, knowing how to jump safely and comfortably for both you and your horse is valuable.

Learn all about jumping in horseback riding, including how to get started and how to progress.

Jumping Is Optional

However, it's important for beginners to understand that jumping is not mandatory, even if you plan to ride English. There are many English disciplines that do not involve jumping, such as dressage, English pleasure, equitation and flat classes such as road hack, le tree, distance riding, mounted games, polo, and polocrosse. Nevertheless, it's beneficial to know how to approach and go over a jump for the reasons mentioned above.

Ensure you wear an approved helmet, proper boots, and make sure your tack is in excellent condition. You don't want to discover a worn girth strap won't hold when you're landing a jump. Many riders shorten their stirrup leathers one or two notches, but you might not need to do this until you've jumped small heights.

If you decide to learn to jump, never feel pressured. It's common to see riders, especially children, who are uninterested in jumping, feel pressured, and become unhappy. Jumping introduces significant risk to horseback riding, so safety must always be the priority. A pressured and insecure rider is not a safe rider. Approach jumps committed and confident not hesitant and nervous. In any horse activity, safety and enjoyment are paramount. If fear is present, you aren't having fun. Whether it takes three months, three years, or longer to learn to jump is irrelevant. Your instructor or coach should respect your pace and avoid comparisons to other riders.

Develop a Secure Seat

The first step in learning to jump is working with a coach or instructor to develop a secure seat at all gaits, from a walk to a hand gallop. You should also be comfortable riding these gaits in a two-point or half seat. Instructors, especially with children, often rush through basics to start jumping. Though jumping is fun and glamorous, rushing can result in unsafe, unhappy riders and horses.

Developing a secure seat varies for each rider. A keen, athletic rider on a well-trained horse might start jumping after a few months of lessons. Others may take longer, either due to less athleticism or apprehension. A good instructor or coach can greatly impact progress, knowing when to motivate without overwhelming the student.

Riding Over Poles

Once you've mastered the basics, start riding over poles. Instructors often begin with one pole, initially walked over. Next, learn to walk and then trot over a line of poles, both at a posting trot and two-point seat. After mastering these, start cantering over the line. Understanding pole spacing is crucial for you and your horse to complete this exercise safely, where your coach is an invaluable resource.

Progressing

From poles, progress to caveletti poles a few inches off the ground. You'll trot and canter over these as your horse gains impulsion to lift over these mini-jumps. Once you're secure over caveletti, the next step is a small cross rail, just high enough to prompt your horse to jump rather than step over. Keep your seat in the saddle and look forward to where you want to land. Dropping your head affects your horse's balance. Your coach will help you gauge when and where to ask your horse to take off roughly the same distance as the jump's height. As the horse lifts over, move into two-point and let your hands go forward on the horse's neck a movement called "release," ensuring you don't bump the mouth or use the reins for support. Horses need to stretch their necks when jumping for balance, so avoid interference.

As you land, sit gently in the saddle and return your hands to the normal position. Ensure you don't fold your legs back or push them forward. Your leg position should remain relatively unchanged from riding on the flat.

Once you've mastered a small line of cross rails, gradually increase jump heights. As you become adept at jumping in an arena or ring, progress to different types of jumps, including oxers (two or three rails wide), water jumps, and other more complex types. Cross country jumping or field hunting presents further challenges as you encounter distractions and solid jumps that don't fall if hit.

Jumping on Trails

Western and trail riders typically don't advance beyond the cross rails stage. Often, if a trail rider encounters a downed tree or other obstacles, it's safer to find a way around. In trail classes, any jumps are usually small a test of obedience rather than jumping skills.