Riding School Jump Show

Article by Jessica Hesford – Visually Impaired Volunteer

On Sunday, 23 June the Sunshine Riding School held their annual June Jump show, which was comprised of three separate smaller shows. Firstly two Inhand shows, which are not ridden but walked around a grass paddock and presented to the judge, a little like a dog show. Secondly show jumping with upright jumps from 5cm right up to 90cm. The height each rider jumps is dependant on the level of skill the rider has. Lastly what is called working hunter jumps in the field. These are jumps made from hay bales or logs or tyres and various other things you may come across out and about while riding. 

My part in this was definitely not jumping!
I took part in the Inhand shows with a bay (brown) Welsh pony called Rosie, show name Treypvan Pert, who stands at 12 hands high.

I started preparing for this the day before by giving her a bath (bucket and sponge and regular human shampoo) and scrubbing her hooves. 

The next day started at 8am. I groomed her until she was shining and the white bits were too white to look at then put plaits in her mane which I rolled up into bubbles that sat along the top of her neck. 

9am and into the ring we went. I wore a checked grey skirt, white blouse and black blazer with white gloves so we both look very smart. 

The judge asks various questions about your horse, name, age, breed, height and asks if they have any other distinguishing features. Then you are asked to walk then trot your horse around the arena to be judged on the movement and obedience of the horse and how clean you both are.

We entered 2 shows because Rosie fitted the rules for both.

In our first round we got a second place rosette and in the second round we got a first place rosette! I was very pleased with my efforts and so was very relieved we placed so high. 

This was all over in an hour! So the rest of the day was spent watching the show jumping whole Rosie munched a well deserved hay net and a carrot.