Great question.

It’s because when the jumps are set up, they are set up and designed by the course designer in a certain way. That there SHOULD be a certain number of strides between the jumps.

Course designers set up jumps at particular distances in the competition arena.Most course designers set up courses and distances based on a 12 foot stride. This is adjusted depending on the level of show, the footing and the height of the jumps. For example, a training level show at a riding school may adjust the distances between fences to 11 feet because the horses may be smaller, with shorter strides. Likewise the jumps will be smaller (say under 3 feet) so the distance for take-off and landing will be shortened as well. 

For now, though, let’s consider a 12 foot stride.

They design the course, for hunters lets say, so that the horse can put in a certain number of strides in between 2 jumps. This way the horse, when it gets to the base of the jump can jump the jump correctly and in good form.

No chipping, popping or propping 

This allows the judge to be able to judge the horse’s form over the fence.

If you get the wrong number of strides in it means:

Your horse isn’t going forward enough; you add a stride in or worse, a half a stride. At local shows, training shows or novice classes I would be more apt to allow an added stride in the line, if it was a safe round with a short strided horse. This, to me, is far better than, a horse flying around trying to get the correct number of strides, but being off balance and jumping poorly.

– or going too fast and flat  – then when it gets to the jump it doesn’t jump properly. It may get too close and hang its knees or flat with no bascule and dangerous. 

Leaving strides out is dangerous. If you leave strides out it is a signal to me, as a judge that you haven’t done your homework. 

Related post – https://thistleridgestables.com/getting-the-right-spot/

How to measure the distance between jumps

How to measure your horse’s stride

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