Forever Equestrian

Jumping Obstacles

Some common jumping obstacles you will encounter in horseback riding:

OXERS

An oxer is a type of horse jump with two rails that may be set even or uneven. There are several kinds.

Ascending: the front rail is lower than the back rail. This is the easiest for the horse to jump, as it naturally fits into the animal's body shape and encourages a round and powerful jump. Descending: the back rail is lower than the front rail. This type is not often used, as it can cause an optical illusion for the horse. It is forbidden by some because it's so dangerous. Parallel: both the top front and back rail are even, but the jump is higher than it is wide. Square: a type of parallel oxer, where the jump's height is the same as its width. This is the hardest type of oxer seen in competition. This is a very rarely used jump. Swedish: a "cross-rail" oxer, the highest front and back rails of the oxer form an X when viewed head-on, so that one section of the jump is lower than the other sections. This makes it easier to jump as it is very low. Triple Bar: similar to an ascending oxer, but rather than having two rails there are three, in graduating height. This is more difficult than an ascending oxer, however, because of the added width of the third rail. Hogsback: a type of oxer with three rails in which the tallest pole is in the center. Sometimes this kind of oxer is filled in to look like a barn or house, which is often used on cross country courses.

DITCHES

These fences are dropped areas in the course that may be up to 11 feet and 10 inches wide in advanced competition, although they are seen at lesser widths at all levels of competition. They can be used individually, or in combinations. Ditches should be ridden positively, with increased stride length and forward motion. The rider should always focus ahead, rather than looking down into the ditch, to keep their balance aligned correctly and allow the horse to give their best effort.

BRUSHES

These jumps consist of a solid base with brush placed on top, generally low enough for the horse to see over. The horse is supposed to jump through the brush in a flat jump, rather than over the top of it in a more rounded arc. Brush fences are also used for steeplechase racing. This type of fence is closely related to the bullfinch. Sometimes the fence is painted to camouflage in with the brush, so it is unseen by both horse and rider.

WATER JUMPS

There are two types of water jumps used in show jumping:

Open Water: a large, rectangular-shaped "ditch" of water, often with a small brush (18") or a rail on one side to act as a ground line. Water jumps are one of the widest obstacles a horse will be asked to jump, with a width up to 16'. They should be approached strongly, with a long stride, and the rider must judge the take-off to put the horse as deep (close) to the obstacle as possible, so that the jumping effort isn't increased. Should the rider cause the horse to take off too far back, it may be near impossible for him to clear the obstacle. However, the rider should also take care not to over-ride this fence, as it may unnerve the horse and make him very difficult to get back under control afterwards. Riders and horses need to keep eyes up and not look down. Water, although it can be spooky for a horse, is usually more daunting for the rider. Open water is not used in the stadium phase of eventing. Liverpool: a show jumping obstacle that takes the form of anoxer or vertical jump with a small pool of water underneath (although some liverpools may be "dry" and just consist of a blue or black tarp). These fences tend to make the horse look down, so the horse does not focus on the actual rails it must jump and may hit the fence. Riders and horses need to keep eyes up and focused on the actual fence they must jump. Liverpools may also be found in the stadium phase of eventing.