If you’re thinking of competing in A- and B-rated jumping hunter shows, you’ll want to do your best to be fully prepared. Not only do you need to be prepared, but your horse does too, and that means exposing him to as many show jumping as possible. There is nothing worse than walking into the show ring and having your horse refuse on the first jump. Even if you don’t have a very creepy horse, it’s a good idea to expose him to a wide range of jumps so that you both know what to expect. Here are some jumps to add to your training ground.
Liverpool
It is incredibly important to have a Liverpool at home if you plan to compete in high-level jumpers or horsemanship. Even the most solid horses tend to pay attention to waterfalls. A good alternative to water is to have a blue tarp that you can spread out under the jump.
Brick wall
Brick walls are actually wooden boxes painted to look like bricks. Bright colors and solid features can sometimes scare horses.
Roll-up lid
Roll tops are made of wood and can be found painted in a variety of colors. However, equestrian shows generally have roll tops covered with green artificial grass.
Flower boxes and brushes
You should have many flower and shrub boxes with a variety of different colored artificial flowers for each box.
Planks and doors
Planks and gates are great for completing jumps and creating a different look for each obstacle. Make sure they are varied in both color and design.
Once you have all these extra jumps, remember to change them regularly. You want your horse to see new jumps all the time, so by changing the boxes, rearranging the course, and adding new flowers, you’re giving yourself the best chance of getting it right once you hit the show arena. On a final note, remember to practice jumping very plain and simple white hurdles too – sometimes those are the creepiest!