Hunter/Jumper

The primary mission of Gold Gaits, LLC is to breed horses capable of the highest level of performance in Show Jumping, Dressage, and Cross-Country competition.  The Fédération Equestre Internationale ("FEI") is the sole controlling authority for all international events in these competitions.  Their website provides the following:

• About Jumping

“The Jumping ability of the horse was first developed in the 18th century, when fox hunting required the jumping of fences that were beginning to be erected to enclose properties. The discipline as we know it today, developed as a result of competitions among fox hunters”.

What is Jumping?
Jumping is probably the best known of the equestrian disciplines recognised by the FEI where men and women compete as equals in both individual and team events. In modern Jumping competitions, horse and rider are required to complete a course of 10 to 13 jumps, the objective of which is to test the combination’s skill, accuracy and training.

The aim is always to jump the course in the designed sequence with no mistakes – a clear round. If any part of an obstacle is knocked down or if the horse refuses a jump, penalties are accumulated. The winner of the competition is the horse and rider combination that incurs the least number of penalties, completes the course in the fastest time or gains the highest number of points depending on the type of competition.

Scoring
For most competitions two types of scoring table are used : Table A and Table C. The most frequently used scoring table is Table A. Each fault is penalised with a certain number of penalties. Each bar knocked down draws a sanction of 4 penalties, as does the first refusal (this is when the horse stops short in front of the jump or goes around it).  The second baulking or refusal, as well as any fall, will eliminate the horse and rider.

The classification is established according to the penalties obtained. Often, several riders succeed in jumping a clear round. In this case, there are two possibilities: if the competition does not include a Jump-off, the competitor with the fastest time wins. If the competition does include a Jump-off, those tied for first place jump a new shorter round against the clock. The winner is the one with the fewest penalties accumulated over the reduced course, and in the event of a tied score, the time will be the deciding factor.

Competitions judged according to Table C are called speed competitions as the classification is established only according to time. Faults incurred are converted into seconds and added the time taken to complete the round. In Table A competitions, there is a time allowed; riders who do not complete their round in the time allowed are penalised by 1 fault per four seconds of excess time. Whatever the type of Table, there is a time limit during which the round must be completed; exceeding the time limit incurs elimination.

Main Competitions in Show Jumping:
Olympic Games
FEI World Equestrian Games
Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping
Meydan FEI Nations Cup™
Continental Championships

• About Dressage

“Dressage is considered the art of equestrian sport and is used as the groundwork for all other disciplines. It is the highest expression of horse training”

What is Dressage?
In modern Dressage competitions, horse and rider are expected to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements, known as ‘figures’ (volte, serpentine, figure of eight). They perform these movements in a completely flat, rectangular arena, measuring 60 x 20m. The arena is skirted by a low rail along which 12 lettered markers are placed symmetrically indicating where movements are to start and finish and where changes of pace or lead are to occur. Upon entering the arena, each rider proceeds down a marked centre line and halts to salute. The horse must stand four-square and immobile. In all competitions, the horse has to show the paces: walk, trot and canter as well as smooth transitions within and between these paces.

Testing
The tests vary in levels of difficulty between seniors, young riders, pony riders and children. The standard formula for FEI World and continental championships and the Olympic Games consists of Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle (Kur) tests; the highest level of tests. In a Freestyle test, the athlete is free to choose his own form and manner of presentation, but certain mandatory movements must be included. In all other tests the athletes follow a set programme.

Scoring
A panel of five judges assess the figures, awarding each a mark from 0 to 10. Once totalled, these scores produce a percentage and the rider or team with the highest total score is declared the winner.

Main Competitions in Dressage:
The Olympic Games,
FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG)
FEI World & Continental Championships
FEI Continental & Regional Games

• ABOUT EVENTING

 “Eventing is the most complete combined competition discipline recognised by the FEI where men and women compete as equals in both individual and team events.”

What is Eventing
Eventing demands of the competitor considerable experience in all branches of equitation and a precise knowledge of the horse’s ability and of the horse a degree of competence resulting from intelligent and rational training. It covers every aspect of horsemanship: the harmony between horse and rider that characterise Dressage; the contact with nature, stamina and extensive experience essential for the Cross Country; the precision, agility and technique involved in Jumping.

Eventing is one of the three disciplines in competition at the Olympic Games, the other two being Jumping and Dressage.  Modern competitions consist of three distinct tests: Dressage, Cross-Country and Jumping. They take place on separate consecutive days during which a competitor rides the same horse throughout.

1. Dressage Test After an opening veterinary fitness inspection, a Dressage test is performed, the object of which is the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse. The test consists of a series of compulsory movements at walk, trot and canter gaits, within a rectangular arena 60 m. long and 20 m. wide. To perform a good Dressage test, the horse needs to be flexible and fluid. To keep the strong Eventing horses under the firm control required by the exacting Dressage movements involves great knowledge and understanding. A good Dressage test lays the foundation for the rest of the competition and horses that are found wanting in this phase face an uphill struggle to get up amongst the prize-winners.

2. Cross-Country Test The focus of the entire event is on the Cross-Country test, the objective of which is to prove the speed, endurance and jumping ability of the horse, while at the same time demonstrating the rider’s knowledge of pace and the use of his horse. Exceeding the time allowed and refusals result in penalties. All penalties are added together and recorded for inclusion in the final classification. The first fall of a horse and/or of a rider entails elimination.

3. Jumping Test The Jumping test takes place on the last day after a third veterinary (horse) inspection. Riders may voluntarily retire their horses if they seem unfit to continue. This test is run in reverse order of merit and its main objective is to prove that the horses have retained their suppleness, energy and obedience in order to jump a course of 10 to 13 obstacles.

The winning individual is the competitor with the lowest total of penalty points. The winning team is the one with the lowest total of penalty points, after adding together the final scores of the three highest placed competitors in the team.

The Premier Eventing Competitions are...

• Olympic Games
• FEI World Equestrian Games
• HSBC FEI Classics™
• HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing
• Continental Championships

Reference websites:

Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI):  http://www.fei.org

2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG):  http://www.alltechfeigames.com
United States Equestrian Federation:  http://www.usef.org

United States Hunter Jumper Association:  http://www.ushja.org

United States Dressage Federation:  http://www.usdf.org
United States Eventing Association:  http://www.useventing.com