countrybumpkin85
Active Member
I was told the other day spreads and oxers can be 1.5 times the height in competition. Whats the bext way to start building up the width at home?
Building spread depth
- Thread starter countrybumpkin85
- Start date
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
The measurements will be in the rules if you are jumping BS. As a general guide the jumps in unaffiliated will be narrower (in our area anyway).
I would build the spreads up slowly, and with the fences low enough that you and your horse are well within your comfort zones. At first I would have the front rail a touch lower so your horse can see the back rail, they just seem more inviting that way. I would also consider setting up a grid where there is a smaller jump to ensure you have a good stride to the second jump, and at first I would do the distance just a bit short so you are not going to find yourself standing off a wider than normal jump, as this would likely have your horse lose confidence.
Once all is going well I would square up the front rail, and then the jump can go higher as well.
I would recommend some lessons from a good trainer, as they will be able to help with your canter for the approach, and to make sure your riding is optimal.
I would build the spreads up slowly, and with the fences low enough that you and your horse are well within your comfort zones. At first I would have the front rail a touch lower so your horse can see the back rail, they just seem more inviting that way. I would also consider setting up a grid where there is a smaller jump to ensure you have a good stride to the second jump, and at first I would do the distance just a bit short so you are not going to find yourself standing off a wider than normal jump, as this would likely have your horse lose confidence.
Once all is going well I would square up the front rail, and then the jump can go higher as well.
I would recommend some lessons from a good trainer, as they will be able to help with your canter for the approach, and to make sure your riding is optimal.
Last edited:
PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
Until you get up to around BS Foxhunter the spread of a fence is pretty unimportant. More to bother the rider than the horse.
Given that a horse generally covers around 4mtrs from take off to landing over any fence a 1mtr spread will not affect then at all.
Just ride the front rail as though it was an upright and let the horse sort out the back rail.
Given that a horse generally covers around 4mtrs from take off to landing over any fence a 1mtr spread will not affect then at all.
Just ride the front rail as though it was an upright and let the horse sort out the back rail.
PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
You will also find that the spread of a fence will in general be a maximum of 10cms more than the height. At lower levels the back rail will often be higher than the front rail making it a much nicer jump.
old hand
Well-Known Member
I was a BS course builder for 25 years. The rules are much the same now as they have always been, that is , that the spread is up to 8 ins ( approx 20 cms ) wider than the spread in senior competitions. Triple bars can be wider and are at the spreads stated in the rule book. As a rule Amateur classes are not built as wide as qualifiers such as Newcomers and Foxhunter. 80% of the course should be at maximum height but there is no specific rule for spreads. So that means in a twelve fence course that the fences should be at maxiumum height from fence three to the end. The big difference with BS courses is that there are few ascending spreads so the horse needs to be really secure at the height before attempting them, and the jump off is 10cms higher than the first round , again this is mandatory so you need to be sure the horse is confident. Spreads are not moved out in jump offs so remain as set for the first round. Hope that helps.