Jumping a Related Distance with Harriet Morris-Baumber
July 29, 2010
Here EquestrianClearance.com sponsored event rider Harriet Morris-Baumber explains what a related distance is and how it should be jumped.
“A related distance is when two or more fences are built more than two non – jumping strides apart. When fences are closer than this they are called doubles or combinations,” explains Harriet.
On average, a horse’s stride is 12 feet (3.6m) long and a pony’s stride 9 feet (2.7m). But when pacing out related distances remember the factors which could lengthen or shorten a horse’s stride:
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A horses stride will shorten if going away from home, uphill slightly, if the area is confined (i.e. Indoors) or if the going is deep and sticky.
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His stride with lengthen if he is going towards home, if he is travelling downhill slightly, if the jumping area is unrestricted or if the going is perfect.
When walking the course and a related distance you need to follow a set pattern.
I always measure distances from the first jump to the next, where there is a related distance involved. When the distance is related I measure from where the horse lands to where I want him to take off.
That is always in multiples of four of my strides, because four of my strides make one of the horse’s strides, which is roughly 12 feet.
So for example if the distance between two fences measure 20 of your strides, the horse will take four strides in between, remembering to take off 2 strides for landing and 2 for taking off.
Here Harriet advises the best way to tackle a related distance.
On approach to a related distance, the horse must be well balanced, on his hocks and in a rhythmical, bouncy canter.
As you approach, it is important that you are looking for the fence, so that you can set your horse up and keep the approach straight whilst keeping him between hand and leg.
As the rider you must stay in balance, keeping a contact throughout. It is your job to maintain rhythm and impulsion throughout the line of fences. As soon as your horse lands, he must pick up his rhythm and balance again as soon as possible and you may need to put in a half-halt to recover the impulsion, and get him back and concentrating on the next fence.
Related distances are a test of your horse’s training and his ability to adapt to different striding patterns and should be a part of your training at home so that the horse is happy to adjust as necessary without resistance or loss of rhythm and balance.
At a show, you should watch a couple of horses jumping a related distance to see how it is riding although you must be aware that not all horses have the same striding as yours. A related distance will not ride well if the horse makes a mistake at the first part. He will land either too far in or too short which makes the following distance either too short or too long.
This means that you must not over-ride so that you interfere with the rhythm or balance. It’s all about being accurate and in control in order to keep straight and your horse moving through the fences.
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Bramham Bound!
Preparing for Bramham has taken much of my time over the last few weeks, as I have been busy competing as well as having training sessions with Christopher Bartle over in Harrogate at the Yorkshire Riding Centre.
I took Sultan and Snowy to Christopher’s yard to practice the Bramham dressage test, we had a great lesson and both horses went really well. We will have another training session again next week.
In the last few weeks, I have competed at Aston Le Walls and Withington Manor with Sultan and Snowy. At Withington Manor, I was placed third and fourth after the dressage.
I was delighted to go clear on both in cross-country, but didn’t push either of them too much so incurred time penalties on the cross-country, putting us just out of the placings.
Next week I will be at Brigstock to give Sultan a final run before Bramham.
Snowy will not run at Bramham but I will take him with the possibility of doing a show jumping class on the Saturday as well as a bit of posing – which is what he loves doing!
At Bramham, I am drawn last for dressage and cross-country on the Friday and Saturday – with a bit of luck I will be last to jump in the show jumping on Sunday – as this will mean I am in the lead!
In between all of my competitions and preparation, I have been busy teaching, have had a horse in to be sold, and some exiting news – I have a new horse in to compete!
Owned by Judy Bettinson, Data as he is known on the yard is a really lovely horse, I am hoping to get out competing with him when he is ready. Watch this space to see his progress!
Until next time – best wishes Harriet.
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