SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Saturday, July 10 2021 / Published in Sidelines Feature

The Risk and Duty of Designing Jumping Courses

By Armand Leone Jr.

When it comes to course designing in the jumper rings, safety of the horse and rider are the greatest concern. However, it’s also a course designer’s job to create a track that presents a level of difficulty appropriate for the class. If you only get one clear in the Grand Prix, the course is too hard. On the other hand, if you get 15 clears, it’s too easy. Striking the elusive balance between competitive yet safe is what makes this profession unique. 

What do course designers need to keep in mind when designing for various levels? When the course causes problems that could be perceived as dangerous, who is liable? The answers aren’t necessarily straightforward. 

There’s a difference between building tracks for children, juniors and adults, versus building tracks for upper-level riders and professionals. When designing for the former, it’s probable that the riders are less experienced, and, therefore, you need to keep the primary focus on the safety of the rider. When designing for the latter, you’re probably dealing with more seasoned riders, and need to keep the focus on the safety of the horses. The inexperienced rider and the inexperienced horse make different mistakes. 

Less-Experienced Riders

In children’s, adult and lower-level divisions, course designers have the duty to prevent the riders from getting themselves into trouble. Generally speaking, it’s not the jump height that will cause issues, but rather the questions being asked of the rider. For example, if the end of a course has a long run to a vertical-oxer two-stride combination, you risk the rider not recognizing that the horse could jump it in one stride instead of two. If this isn’t anticipated, the rider gets left in the “back seat,” going backwards and upwards while the horse leaps out from underneath, resulting in an ugly crash. On the other hand, the same vertical two-stride oxer in-and-out off of a rollback does not create a rider hazard. This is just one example of a problem not suitable for less experienced riders.

In these lower-level classes, a course designer’s goal is to reduce the risk of a rider-imposed injury without diluting the rider’s jumping experience. Course designers need to keep in mind the potential lack of experience of the riders in these lower-level classes.

Developing Horses

Professional divisions, as well as high junior and amateur divisions and up, generally have increased difficulty as the track height and purse increase. Course designers are building for a more educated rider, but with horses of differing experience. In these instances, the safety of the horse becomes the primary goal. Experienced riders who have walked the course know what to anticipate. However, when the horse gets fooled on course — which can often be the case with a greener horse — it can be problematic. Not all horse errors are correctable by a rider and, if a horse gets fooled, a rider can get hurt. This typically involves distance-related questions that cause an inexperienced horse to misjudge the fence. 

The difficulty of the “distance” question increases with higher levels of competition, but at the end of the day, the question must be fair. By including short- and long-distance questions, and through careful selection of obstacle construction, a course designer can increase the course difficulty with little or no change in the actual size of the jumps. At a multi-day show, courses need to follow a progressive pattern of increasing difficulty during a show from the initial class in the division to the final event. 

Bad Courses

Even with the best intentions, issues can arise that put the safety of the course in question. However, it’s not only the course designer that’s responsible for the course. Horse show stewards and knowledgeable exhibitors should bring a safety concern to the attention of the course designer if there’s a perceived problem. At higher-level FEI events, ground juries oversee the competition. While exhibitors may get upset over a course design, if the design falls within the specifications for the class, the main thing a course designer risks is not being asked back in the future.

On the flip side, if the course was not set within the class specifications and an injury to a competitor occurs, one would expect a rider to investigate the potential for legal recourse against the course designer, show management, and/or the official responsible for stewarding the class.  

The bottom line is the course designer has the duty to keep the safety of the rider and the horse in mind. When designing courses for non-professional riders, the less-experienced rider should be top of mind. In the professional divisions, the safety of the horse should be the overriding concern, and courses need to educate and develop horses as well as test them. At the end of the day, even with a beautifully designed and safe course, issues can arise and that’s the risk and challenge we all face as horse people. 

Caption: 

Course designers, such as Ireland’s Alan Wade who set the show jumping tracks at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, take the responsibility of keeping horses and riders safe very seriously.

Photo by Jump Media

Credit: Jump Media

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: jump course design, law column, liability

What you can read next

Karl Cook: His Passion and Love for Animals
Murray Kessler – A New Face for a New Era of US Equestrian: The Fortune 500 CEO Asks Questions, Makes Changes, Challenges Cheaters and Introduces the Joy of Horse Sports
The Olympic Movement’s Role in Equestrian Athletes’ Right to Compete

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
Don't get caught without your green on today!🍀🍀
 
In today's featured article, we have Jessica Howington, who is dressed for the occasion in her green shirt! Jessica is the Owner/Rider at CrownView Dressage, a Realtor with Showcase Properties of Central Florida, and a Nurse Practitioner! Jessica has been involved with horses since she was a little girl. Everything from bareback to eventing she tried until she found her love for dressage.

Today, she and her family own CrownView Dressage, a 157-acre training, boarding, and breeding facility in Ocala, Florida. Jessica started training and teaching but felt as if her life was still missing something. Until Jessica focused on horses full-time, she didn’t realize how important the healthcare field was to her life. Jessica missed seeing patients and being in the medical field. Jessica is now back to working again as a nurse practitioner while also focusing on training her five competition horses, including her Grand Prix mare Cavalia. 

Jessica feels lucky 🍀 to have two amazing parents who have supported her in all of her endeavors and instilled the importance of work ethic, morals, dedication, and sacrifice. 

You can read all about Jessica and how she's finding fulfillment in her busy lifestyle in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! Click the link in our bio for more 

✳️Tag us in your “lucky” photos for a chance to be featured on our story! Happy st. Patrick’s day everyone!🍀🍀

📸Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com 

#stpatricksday #irish #stpattysday #green #ireland #luckoftheirish #stpaddysday #shamrock #happystpatricksday #lucky #saintpatricksday #leprechaun #stpatricks #stpatrick #kissmeimirish #clover #paddysday #march #potofgold #stpattys #love #beer #guinness #shopsmall #handmade #stpatricksdaydecor #stpatricksdayoutfit #fourleafclover #stpatricksdayparade #luckycharms
Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no stranger to balancing a busy schedule. From serving as president of the Pony Club South Region Youth Board to working on her online high school courses and modeling gigs, Devon has nearly every minute of her time planned out. And with her horses right in her backyard in Ball Ground, Georgia, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Devon’s fast-paced lifestyle stems from growing up around her parents’ animal casting business, Animal Casting Atlanta, where they train and provide animals for projects in the film industry. Devon’s parents, Carol and Greg, took her on her first film job at just two weeks old; both parents pushed Devon toward acting when she was younger. While Devon didn’t want to be an actor herself, she did follow in their footsteps with her love of animals, especially horses. 

“My parents’ company has provided animals for ‘The Hunger Games,’ ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Suicide Squad,’ a majority of the Marvel TV shows, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and so many more,” Devon said.

Devon started her equestrian journey when she was 9 years old. Initially, the Tresans bought a flashy gray Welsh pony, I Am Superman, for Devon to take in the hunter ring. However, Superman lived up to his name and proved to be too speedy for the job. 

“He was super cute and just a great little ride,” Devon said, “but he was still a pony! He made me work hard for everything we accomplished together. I was lucky enough to ride with a trainer who did both hunters and eventing, so we were able to switch disciplines pretty easily. Those eventing lessons together kickstarted my love for the sport.”

Read all about Devon and her busy life in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more
@TrDevon Lane Tresan  @Devontresan

📸Photo by Carol Lane Tresan
📸Photo courtesy of Devon Tresan
📸Modeling photo by Sara Hanna, @atlphotos 

#model #fashion #photography #love #style #instagood #photooftheday #beauty #instagram #beautiful #like #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #Sidelinesmagazine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Dandy Products
    Padding and Flooring Specialists Over 30 Years of Experience Keeping your Equine Athletes Safer www.dandyproducts.net 513-625-3000 • dandypro@aol.com

    [Read more]

  • Hanoverian Stallion - Louisville HTF
    Louisville HTF (Lord Leatherdale-Negro-Fruhling) 2017 Hanoverian Stallion 16.2 Hands Owner/Breeder: Hilltop Farm, Inc. Approved Registries: Licensed AHS, ARS, & ISR/Oldenburg Breeding Fee: $1,300 1-Year or $675/dose, cooled or frozen semen EVA Status: Negative, vaccinated annually WFFS Status: N/N Negative Video link: About: The Lord Leatherdale-Negro cross has proven an exceptional nick and we are proud to offer Louisville as the next representative of this successful combination.

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp Takes Third Victory in $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field

Category

Recent Posts

  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...
  • Preparing for the 2023 FEI World Cup Finals

    By George Williams The FEI World Cup Final in O...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!