26/09/2021
Hi All Eventers.. please do yourselves a favour and go to Eventing SA Website and print off page 53 - Appendix EV/A Distances and Maximum Dimensions for Eventing Standards. Just under the heady there is a Note:- Cross Country Courses should be up to Standard for each level of Competition and not lowered in order to make the Course softer!!!
Too often when walking tracks at different venues, you will always see jumps way under height???
As a Course designer and builder, when the change was made from 60 - 65, 70 to 75 etc.. it was a challenge to cut down jumps to make them the correct height or make the decision to build them up to the new Standard.
1 has to take a few factors into consideration!! Where the jump is in the track, how it flows in the track.
Is it the 1st jump, so should be inviting getting the riders and their horses jumping and forward moving into the track.
The 1st 5 jumps on any track, at all levels, should be good fences to encourage the horses to get going and jumping. Not skinny jumps not banks, not ditches or steps.
Good honest fences, up to height and of different varieties, textures, shapes and colours.
Brush jumps with round generous apron fronts, the horses can get into the base of, with foliage of different shades.
A round top jump, with a readable profile.
A rustic pole jump, with shrubbery.
Big logs.
Boxy houses.
All of which should have clear ground lines. This could be plants, shavings, especially useful in areas with lots of shade.
For the lower levels, no combinations till jump 5 or 6.
Jumps sited where the going is tricky, still up to height, but a jump with a round profile so no top Spread jumping width,
When building jumps for the different levels you need to be well aware of your dimensions.
The height for any given level is fixed. 65 = 65 and so on.
Base width and no height top widths are trickier.
Always Build the jump allowing for the inclusion of your base line/decoration, or you could make the jumping base width too wide by adding decoration!!
The arrow head portable in the warm up at Mt Helmsley on Sunday was adequate for the higher levels, small in Height for the * Classes!! Correct height for 85's but not the base width.
Max Base width for 85cm Class is 1.25cm. When measured, this jump exceeded the Base width for the 85cm Class @ 1.35cm.
The metal leading edge ascending box jump in the warm up was good for height and base width for the 85's, but NO METAL FRAME IS ALLOWED TO BE EXPOSED ON ANY JUMP NO MATTER WHAT THE HEIGHT. Internal metal frame portables jumps clad in Timer, yes Legal.
That jump and the other 2 like it used on the 75cm track and 1 other level track.. there is a set of 3. ARE ALL ILLEGAL!!!
Can you imagine a horse cannon hitting that metal edge!!!
On another note - the Show Jumping Equipment @ Mt Helmsley has been on more than 1 occasion ruled, not of an FEI Standard by more than 1 Show Jumping Judge who has worked as a Show Jumping Judge at the venue, yet overuled by the TD of the Day??? Yet each time a Show is held @ Mt Helmsley the same equipment is used. Key hole strip uprights are used for the oxers.
But for the rest, the open flat cups with 90" edges turned up either end are not of a Standard for Affiliated Shows.
Everyday training at home if it is all you have that is fine. Some of the cups had lips of an inch others 1 1/2 cms.
Normal key hole show Jumping cups are rounded in shape as poles are round. Flat cups with no bent up edges are used for panels.
As a Show Holding Body, all equipment is to be approved according to the Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross country Rules for Each Discipline.
Show jumping poles are not to weigh in at more than 15kgs.
Poles left out in the elements absorb water and get heavier.
Next time you walk a track feel the weight of the poles you are to be jumping.
Safety Cups for Oxers in Show Jumping are to be of a brand that is registered and approved by the FEI. Nothing Less.
No No name brands. Check a safety cup next time check for the registration mark.. no registration mark, then not approved!!
This is just some useful information to all Riders out there. Be informed, know your Rules speak up before there is a major accident/death of a horse or Rider at the next Show.
All Show Holding Bodies have to carry a Hefty Public Liability in order to Host Equestrian events. To All SHB's, make sure your houses are in order.
If you do not check and maintain approved equipment. Do not build to the correct dimensions Heights and approved regulations - No exposed Metal, have the incorrect Jumps in a warm up arena and someone get injured hurt/looses a horse as a result, be it on your Head!!!
Riders know your rights. You bought an Entry for the Show, The Show Holding Body accepted your Entry, make sure your get what you paid for!!!
Stand up and be heard.. do not accept the short straw.. A 65 cm Rider is just as Important as a 3* rider.
Some riders are their for fun, the Love of the Sport. Others to Win at all costs. Others have their own agenda's.
