Showjumping
At MGDH&PC, whether it is an outside competition or an internal one, all members are expected to wear the full club formal uniform and to get your horse ready for competition. Although it is not compulsory to dress and check all your tack is correct on your horse and what you are carrying, it is however necessary if you wish to attain the maximum points needed or not be disqualified, always check the PCAQ Rule Books. There are many different ways in which to get your horse ready but the best way is to ask someone for help at the club and learn what are their "tricks of the trade"! Click here for the full details of the MGDH&PC uniform.
We highly recommend every competitor purchases the PCAQ Rule Book for each discipline, not only will you understand what you are meant to be doing but it will eliminate any unnecessary and unfortunate mistakes in competition! The costs of these books is $5.50 each and can be ordered directly from PCAQ. Click here for the Booklist and here for the Order Form.
Click on the links below to find out about some of the rules of competition.
What is a Cross Country Jump Steward?
The cross country course is at the grounds of MGDH&PC. There is an initial group briefing, just prior to the start, to show you what to do. A jump steward sits at a fence and marks a score sheet when a horse and rider jumps it. Horses come through the course one at a time at different time intervals. Stewards sit down for the duration with a score sheet and a 2-way radio.
What is a Show Jumping Rail Steward?
Rail stewards are responsible for sitting on the side of the arena during the show jumping phase. If a horse knocks down a jump, the rail stewards go out at the completion of the round and put the rails back up for the next horse. Between classes, the rail stewards alter the height of the jumps for the next set of riders.
PHASES OF THE JUMP - THE HORSE
It is important to understand exactly how a horse jumps. For this reason the jump is divided into five phases:
1. The Approach
2. The Take-Off
3. The Moment of Suspension
4. The Landing
5. The Get Away or Recovery
Phase 1: The Approach
The horse must be going forward in balance, with impulsion and rhythm. The quality of the jump is closely related to the quality of the pace during the approach. The jump itself depends largely on a correct approach.
Phase 2: The Take-Off
Before the moment of take-off, the horse lowers his head and stretches his neck, measuring up the fence and preparing for the spring. At the moment of take-off he shortens his neck slightly, raises his head and lifts his forehand off the ground, immediately bending his knees and folding up his forelegs. He then brings his hocks underneath him and, as his hind feet touch 'the ground, he stretches his head and neck and uses the power of his hindquarters to spring forward and upward.
Phase 3: The Moment of Suspension
While in the air, the horse stretches his head and neck forward and downward to their fullest extent. He rounds his back. The forelegs are tucked up. The hind legs, having left the ground, follow the parabola of the body. If the horse fails to lower his head and neck and hollows or flattens his back, the jump will be inefficient and he will need to make more effort to clear the fence.
Phase 4:The Landing
The horse straightens his forelegs and prepares to meet the ground. He momentarily raises his head to balance himself. His forelegs touch own one after the other, followed by the hind legs. His back should remain supple so that his hind legs can move well under him before they touch the ground. The horse straightens his forelegs and prepares to meet the ground. He momentarily raises his head to balance himself. His forelegs touch down one after the other, followed by the hind legs.His back should remain supple so that his hind legs can move well under him before they touch the ground.
Phase 5: The Get-Away (or Recovery)
The get-away stride should be fluent, with the horse's hocks coming well underneath him, so that the balance, rhythm and impulsion of the pace are re-established as soon as possible. This is important because the approach to the next fence may have already begun.