size of spreads in jumping comps? And tips if you like... :)

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cokelly

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Sooo got a jumping league coming up in a little under 2weeks (sooo excited!)

Buster is jumping well- we're gonna attempt the 80cm (we've only really started jumping again in the past couple of months since he's been anaemic for yonks).

HOWEVER there will be SPREADS (which terrify me at the best of times). Now, when I do jump spreads they are like PIDDLY in width...but someone told me that sometimes in comps the width is same as height (therefore I would be jumping an 80cm width???) EEK!

So is this the general consensus? And any tips for jumping them? ATM I find that I'm best just keeping my rhythm to jumps and letting Buster work his own striding out- should I however make him longer on the approach to a spread? Any tips MUCH appreciated XD Thanks
 
Just get a good forward canter and keep the rhythm all the way round
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When you think a horses natural stride length is 12ft long, 80cm is NOTHING, and anyway, i really dont think they will have any big widths
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Just ride every fence the same
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Hi cathy_

My best trainer ever explained about how horses see things. They bascule over every fence, which makes spreads easier for them to jump (although we worry a bit more), while they are more likely to mis-judge a simple upright (which they actually find quite difficult, yet we think are easier!).

How about getting a good trainer in to boost your confidence before comp? He/she can quietly put your jumps up to higher/wider than you'll meet on they day.

In meantime, totally agree with other advice about keeping rhythm, keep riding forwards, don't try to 'look for stride'

That's where homework + preparation comes in. The more work we've put in at home, the better our chances of doing decent on the day.

Hope i've helped, and good luck. Enjoy! BS x
 
Usually in an 80cm class the spreads aren't very wide at all and there might as well not be a back rail. It always fills me with confidence when they aren't too wide
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I think BSJA rules say the width of the spread cannot exceed the height of the class jumped. It doesn't say they have to actually be that wide!

Horses see spreads differently. I think they're there to frighten the rider. Loads of practice at home. Hang on, don't look down and trust your horse.

Good luck!
 
You should do fine, the jump is just an extension of the canter stride. If you work on a good bouncy, rythmical canter then your horse will easily jump the 80cm. As has been said, the spread doesn't have to be the same width as the height & even if it is your horse will cope with it well. Horses do not find spreads difficult, it's just in the mind of the rider.

Get him going forward, not racing, just going forward, nice & bouncy (leg yielding can help him to get his back legs under himself to get him to engage properly) & you'll fly over it.

Good Luck
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