tips for jumping a fence IN water??

georgiegirl

georgiegirl

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Autumn and I have our 3rd BE100 coming up next week at bishop burton and having had a quick glance at the course pics from earlier on in the year on facebook it seems they have put what looks to be a fairly decent log in the middle of the water?? This is certainly something me or her has never done before so would appreciate your hints and tips for riding it? Do horses tend to react very differently to them? Autumn will always go in water but tends to need a bit of encouragement to canter through it at the moment (she normally breaks into trot!) - am I better sticking in trot or pushing on for canter with the worry we may get a bit sprawly if Im having to chase her a bit?
 
I would go for trot if it's a first one, I think that gives them a bit more time to think about it, and it should be small enough to do a little pop over.

But I'm not a real eventer compared to some peeps on here ! :)
 
Ditto, I'd go for a nice beefy trot. They tend to have a lot of spring in their step when in water anyway and this avoids a) shoving, b) splash or c) messing up the stride, which is harder to see in water!
 
I'm pleased you asked this! We are in the BE100 at Bishop Burton next week (also our first BE event ever!) and I was wondering about this having also seen the course pics. My lad is very bold in water but I think I'd prefer to trot for the first time! :D
 
Horse needs to be forward and taking you, I also echo about a finger in the martingale/breastplate your always better holding something than jabbing the poor animal in the teeth if they take a huge leap!
 
There will be one in the BE100 at Aske tomorrow and there was definitely one at Hexham.

Things are creeping gradually down the levels - 4 or 5 years ago a corner at BE90 without an alternative was pretty unusual, now it's standard.

GG - you've had some good advice. Don't underestimate the impulsion-sucking power of water, but I'm sure Autumn will be well up to the task. If you do find that you're coming in canter don't try to pull her up, get a proper bouncy coffin canter and keep coming. Good luck :)
 
Daughter did a clinic with Gary Parsonage over fences that were on the 90, 100 and novice track after the event in May (in glorious sunshine if you can remember such a thing:rolleyes:) and can confirm the 100 track did indeed have a jump in water. Daughter particularly asked to do it as her horse is just moving from 90 to 100 and had noticed jumps in water starting to appear at one or two courses. As others have advised she approached in a strong trot for her first attempt but it jumped really well and they did a confident second jump. Will try to post a pic but not very good at doing so!
set
 
Irrelevant to OP but there is no jump actually in the water for BE100 at Aske tomorrow... ;)

Hope you have a really good day where ever and whoever is competing this weekend :)
 
Sunset1 said:
Daughter did a clinic with Gary Parsonage over fences that were on the 90, 100 and novice track after the event in May (in glorious sunshine if you can remember such a thing:rolleyes:) and can confirm the 100 track did indeed have a jump in water. Daughter particularly asked to do it as her horse is just moving from 90 to 100 and had noticed jumps in water starting to appear at one or two courses. As others have advised she approached in a strong trot for her first attempt but it jumped really well and they did a confident second jump. Will try to post a pic but not very good at doing so!
set
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That's a decent fence in the water too Sunset1 bigger than the one at Aske or Hexham.
I have twigged who you are now! I was on the EHOA award winners course with your daughter at Kenneth Clawsons in 2011 :) Well done on your win at Hutton the other week :D and good luck in the RF tomorrow. I was entered but had to WD as my horse is off :(
 
Ahh, were you in the next box to us in the carpark at Kenneths?
Thank you :D May frame that dressage sheet, not likely to get another like it! Sorry you couldn't make the regionals, hope horse is ok soon. Thought we'd have to do Purston as d should have been working this Sat and Sun but somehow she managed to swap shifts (haven't dared ask how...) so RF here we come :)
 
Whatever pace you approach this fence at ,you must be "powering up "as you come in. Water causes so much drag and can cause you to jump short . Even a steeplechase jockey powers up for the last three. If you decide for trot (which in my mind is a good pace) Be in trot early and ride forward. It is no good falling out of canter at the last minute and expecting the poor nag to recover . He wont . You must be in an established pace and ride forward. All that said ,horses arnt (generaly ) stupid and a good horse will help you out.Definately get those fingers under the neck strap/ safetybelt though.
 
Sunset1 said:
Ahh, were you in the next box to us in the carpark at Kenneths?
Thank you :D May frame that dressage sheet, not likely to get another like it! Sorry you couldn't make the regionals, hope horse is ok soon. Thought we'd have to do Purston as d should have been working this Sat and Sun but somehow she managed to swap shifts (haven't dared ask how...) so RF here we come :)
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Yes that was me with the other black horse :)
I think we will have to forget this year now although a tiny part of me thinks maybe Norton Disney as a very long shot though it is so far! Would love to hear of you doing well tomorrow :D
 
Thanks for all the advice folks! Plan is then nice punchy trot and a finger or two under the breastplate and fingers crossed she'll just treat it as any other jump :)
 
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