RC "Style" (equitation) Showjumping... anyone done it?!

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KatB

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I've been persuaded to do this by the RC team manager, to make up a team. Anyone done it and have any idea what the judges are looking for?! I know you have to jump in a snaffle, over a course of about 85cm and "look posh" whilst doing it!

I believe you have to canter on both reins first, and get marked on it! Do they like you to be in jumping stylee, eg, light seat, or would you ride on the flat like dressage?!
 
yes in a snaffle and i think maybe no martingale. i think the course is like a figure of eight so that they are judging a smooth and flowing round. i don't kno loads about it- but amaretto who sometimes comes on here organises it for our local RC so maybe PM her as she'll know whats what :)
 
Hmmm! Ok, thanks :) I have told the manager not to expect much, as madam doesnt "do" basculing over little fences, and my "style" leaves much to be desired :p So could be interesting ;)
 
I did equitation (hunt seat) in the USA (ok, years ago but still). not sure if it is the same over here, but there you had to ride a very smooth round in a rhythm that ideally never changed at all. The horse has to jump smoothly with a nice but not extreme bascule and you have to make clear smooth flying changes where required. Everything has to look effortless and your jumping position should be really polished with a good crest release. Think slow slow slow compared to a typical SJ round. You would also do a "show" on the flat, basically trot and canter figure of 8s, showing off your position and effectiveness. Don't try to sit like a dressage rider; just sit squarely in the saddle with supple hips and an upright back. Tack is conservative, basically what you would use for showing.
 
I did this last year ( & again this year) & basically you get marked like a dressage test & actually get a sheet back. You get a mark out of 10 (i think) for each fence you jump & then if I remember correctly a collective mark at the end.

When you first go in you have to salute the judge & then show a canter on both reins, the judge then rings a bell & that is your cue to proceed with the jumping, they is also a optimum time which none of us know about last year so we all went around looking very pretty using the whole of the arena & we all got loads of TP.:rolleyes:

You have to use a snaffle & can use a martingle but get deducted marks for doing so, boots can be used without marks being deducted.

Hope this helps & hopefully see you at White House Farm. :D
 
Ok, thanks guys :)

SW66 Thats helpful! So are they judging horse and riding combined (so overall picture?) or is there more emphasis on the rider? Will se you at whitehouse farm all being well... what classes are yo doing? :)
 
If I remember correctly the remarks on the sheet I got back were about the approach i.e "needed more leg" & also about your position over the fence. I can not remember anything about the way the horse was jumping was remarked on, I will dig the sheet out tonight & have a look for you.

I am doing the senior Intermediate showjumping & the style jumping, are you also showjumping?:)
 
I used to do it in Italy ages ago, like Halfstep, but it sounds similar - back then these classes were compulsory for junior riders. Definitely more emphasis on the rider rather than the horse; marks given at every fence for rider's position, plus an overall mark at the end. Turnout was also important and horse had to be like in a dressage test (white saddlecloth, plaits etc)

In Germany virtually all lower-level showjumping is 'style' classes (judging either horse or rider) - from what I've seen so far it's only when you get to 1.20-ish that the marks for style disappear.
 
SW66 Lovely, thanks! I'm doing the same classes as you then :p

Thanks Frodo, I had a sneaking suspiscion I would be having to plait, joyous!! :p SOunds a good idea though re. lower level always being those sort of classes!
 
i did this a couple of years ago and SW66 is pretty spot on with her explanation. i don't think the judges are looking for a copy book position from the rider over each and every fence, they are mainly looking for a rhythmical, flowing round, a good partnership etc.

i managed to come 5th and the team 2nd, which as SJ is my weakest phase, i was pretty chuffed about! i'm pretty sure there were remarks about both me and the horse on my sheet and although we went clear, i got him a bit deep into one fence so lost a mark for that (6 instead of the 7 we got for the rest of the course..)

good luck :)
 
Aww, thank god re. spurs! On a sharp baby, they can just be useful for reminding her that running sideways at the caravan/spectator/tree/rope/bush/photographer/judge (delete as appropiate!) is not acceptable :p
 
I'm doing it on both (Fugs and *****) horses, along with Nov and Int SJing, Prelim and Nov dressage and riding test (oh joy) on both and Jorvik dressage final (just Fugs). Quiet weekend away then? :rolleyes:

I have done it before (and been placed amazingly!) years ago but it certainly could be interesting this time. There's definitely a canter on both reins and I think you have to keep cantering until the bell at the end. Unfortunately if 'style' involves landing on the correct leg then both my horses are stuffed :eek:! I haven't got a martingale to fit ***** and am too lazy to put one on Fugs at home so no worries there! :p
 
LMAO! I was very confused about your ***** Gamebird! You'll be busy then! Have you already done your qualifiers? And I thought ***** was going to be a short term project?! :p Are you aiming for the Blenheim RC challenge with Fuggers?
 
Kat - Its not Rearsby RC is it? If so say hello to a team member (with Toby! Hazzle is to nutty!)
Both are in the novice SJ to so got both ponies there
 
Sorry that didn't make sense to me... are you doing the qualifier at White House Farm with Toby? Or someone else with Toby? :) Yes, I am in Rearsby Lodge RC, so riding for them... could be interesting!!
 
Ah ok, that makes sense! I will be in the same team as you then forthe style jumping :) Yeah, Barbara said they didnt have enough people for the Novice to make a team :( Have you done the quals before?
 
KatB said:
ARGHH!! I wasn't told Spurs aren't allowed :(
Click to expand...


They are now the rules have changed.

It's also timed these days to put the emphasis on forwardness, so it is not slower than a normal showjumping round, it is similar. You need to show how you warm up a horse sufficiently prior to your round, showing some lengethening in the canter, and riding in a light, forward seat. I went to a judge training day in early 2009 and this is what they now expect to see, rather than what was required a few years ago. My team won at the RC champs at Lincoln last September following this advice.

Extract from BRC Rulebook:

Objectives

1. It is to encourage better pace and rhythm in competitions and improved rider training in
jumping competitions.
2. To demonstrate the riders knowledge and effect of developing the canter at 350 meters
per minute and its amenability for riding a course
3. For judges to provide good constructive comments for the benefit of the competitors.

Aims

It is not to be judged on the horses ability or style, but the rider’s ability to demonstrate a good jumping technique from a light balanced position prior to the jumping, including changes of pace, whilst maintaining an independent and balanced position during the course and the track; showing ability to ride suitable turns and approaches and immediately concluding the round. The difficulty of the horses way of going is expected to be taken into account by the judges.

Time

To be ridden at 350 meters per minute. 350 m.p.m is quite forward. We expect that the
measurement of the course to be generous. This is meant to encourage the riders to ride more forward, demonstrating the ability to ride forward in pace, maintaining balance and rhythm. The course should be well spread about the arena with seven fences to include a stile or narrow fence, with plenty of dog legs and finishing with the double but a spread in and an upright out - not a spread out.

Method of Judging

The judge will watch the rider continuously and give marks for the position before and after the round and for each fence, while the assistant writes down these marks on the score sheet, as well as deducting any jumping penalties. The judge assessing the rider should not, therefore, deduct the penalties for refusals or knockdowns from their good marks + time penalties, for which a timing judge will be necessary. Particular attention being paid to the development of a 350 m.p.m canter and its balance and rhythm in a variety of circles and turns. In case of equality of marks, jumping penalties will decide, then the time closest to the optimum time.

Assessment

In assessing the competitors, judges should take into account how they negotiate the whole course and, in particular, how they ride the turns and present the horse to the fence. The rider needs to show balanced approaches to the fences whilst able to maintain a good forward canter, the position of the rider at take-off, in the air, on landing and in the following strides should be included in the assessment for each fence. Correct judgement of pace is another point to be taken into consideration. It is assumed that the horse should be on the correct leg, unless it is capable of a well-balanced counter canter. A flying change, if correctly and quietly executed, is also acceptable. If not a suitable correction is fine.

Marking the Double

This is marked as two separate obstacles, i.e. 10 marks for each part. If the horse refuses at the second part the rider has to retake the whole combination. In this case, the mark for position for the first element has already been awarded and should not be re-marked. However, any additional jumping penalties incurred in retaking the combination should be deducted.

Tack.

The following ARE permitted:

English type saddles
Only ordinary snaffle bridles are permitted
Only one noseband may be worn at a time, drop, flash, grackle or cavesson
Only a running martingale with rein stops (but will incur a 5 point penalty)
Hackamores and other bitless bridles – senior competitions only
Bitguards provided that they are made of rubber and are smooth on both sides
Boots and bandages
Breastplates
Neckstraps
Anti fly impregnated browbands or fly repellent discs
Numnahs and saddle cloths (logos must be no more than 14cm x 14cm)


The following ARE NOT permitted:

Side saddles
Saddle covers and seat savers
Market Harborough’s
Tongue guards
Side, draw, check or running reins
Hackamores and other bitless bridles in junior competitions
Blinkers or hoods which impede the horses vision
Fine wire, twine or cord around the horses mouth
Full faced fly shields
Cheekpieces of Sheepskin, or any other material
Tongue straps or tying down the horses tongue


EQUIPMENT:

Whips are permitted but MUST be between 45cm and 75cm
Spurs are permitted

The Test

The actual form of the competition is as follows: the horse enters the arena, the rider halts and salutes the judges, then proceeds in canter whilst their position and balance is assessed before jumping. They are expected to work mainly in canter showing changes of paces and transitions on straight lines and small circles. Up to 10 marks will be awarded at this stage. The signal to start is then given and the course jumped, with up to 10 marks available for the rider’s position and method of presentation at each fence. After completing the course, the rider continues in canter and their effectiveness (including their riding of the track) is awarded a mark out of 10. A further 30 marks are awarded for position, security and balance. When the judge has finished their final assessment the signal to leave the arena is given. There is no need to salute the judge before leaving the arena. The relative value of the marks should correspond to those used in dressage tests.

Hope this helps - I've further documents I could email out if anyone wants to pm me their email address...
 
KatB said:
LMAO! I was very confused about your ***** Gamebird! You'll be busy then! Have you already done your qualifiers? And I thought ***** was going to be a short term project?! :p Are you aiming for the Blenheim RC challenge with Fuggers?
Click to expand...

I might just be busy! Our qualifiers are on the 17/18th and we do dressage the first day, stay over, and having jumping the second day. There's also the final of a dressage competition (Jorvik) which Fugs has qualified for. We didn't qualify in the Horse Trials as I went a smidgeon too fast XC and got 7 TFs, depite a double clear :o. In my defence I did ask to be put in the PN level one, not the intro level.... ;)

***** is still a short term project, honest. He'll be advertised straight after the qualifiers. Heaven knows what I'll do if he qualifies as I already have an eye on his replacement and don't really want to keep him until Lincoln. He's doing the BE90 at Eland this weekend too which could be a double edged sword in terms of advertising/value. I'm also fitting in a couple of County coloured classes - he is a pony with many strings to his bow!!!!

Ummm Blenheim is a dirty word around here. 3 or us were 'definitely' going, with hopes of a fourth team member (if truth be told we were going for a trip out rather than to be competitive). Boked the days off work etc. etc......... and the stupid team person didn't put an entry in for us so now we can't go :mad: :mad: :mad:. I am mildly grumpy! :mad: :(

Sorry for monopolising your thread, but you did ask!

Amaretto - thanks very much for that - very helpful indeed! :)
 
Lol! I have no problems with you monoplising the thread! So in short:

Good luck for the weekend ;)

And may see you at Lincoln... though thats tempting fate and I will now fall off and break something at our qualifier no doubt!! OR madam will decide skittles is the way forward and knock all the fences down!!
 
Just to say, although its been metioned in the rules, its worth noting that the speed is quite influential. If you are over the time you get 1 penalty per second and that can be a good chunk off your score.

At a recent qualifier I took part in, I was about 20th in, and I was the first person to go clear in the time. Some were getting up to 35 pens (35secs) for being over. At the Championships last year, I was the only one in our team not to get time penalties, and none of the others were hanging about!

Keep her moving forward especially if she going to be spooky.

Enjoy, its not so bad really :)
 
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