How high is jump usually in versatility class?

[FineStepFarm]

Hello,my daughter has been taking lessons on her paso for jumping, the horse loves to jump! She wants to do the versatility class at the Paso shows. The rule book says 18" to 3'. She is only jumping at 18". and her trainer said her horse may be jumping 2' 6" in the future but do to her size that's probably the max.
Also is it a straight rail or cross? I'm embarrassed all the times I watched the class I never saw how high it was.
Thanks Tammi

Can you tell the show committee that you need a green hunter size jump?

[PattiB]

It is up to the judge to decide the height. Normally they set it at 2' but at Nationals one year they had it at 2'6"

[CarolU]

I've never seen them put it at 3', but they legally could. I believe the rule calls for a cross-rail in jump cups, so it wouldn't be a cross.

I believe the ponies in the Pony Club jump as high as 3'6"....I don't see any reason why most Pasos couldn't do the same.

[PattiB]

They usually use a straight bar with a ground pole. I have a 13.2 filly that can barely pick her feet up for a 8" pole, I had hoped to train her versatility but unless she learns to lift her feet I won't be trying a jump. I'm training her for Trail and Western Pleasure. Trail sometimes has a jump so I guess I better get her started on a low jump.

[Cindy]

The problem is not that the horses can't jump three feet, it is more that some of the riders who participate in the class can't jump 3 feet and it would be rather scary to see them try. I was thinking of putting in for a rule change to lower that 3 feet mark. I have never seen the jump set that high and I think we would have major injuries if some of the participants tried to jump that high. Not to mention that I personally have no desire to jump that high any more :D Maybe on a bigger horse but a Paso jumping 3 foot is a much bigger jump than a TB jumping 3 foot. They just tend to jump bigger. Opinions?

[CarolU]

I'd support your rule change for sure. Three feet is alot higher then I want to jump too. In fact 2 feet is plenty high enough to prove my horse can jump.

(you know how far away the GROUND is when you jump 3 feet??? :shock: )

[TrueStepPaso]

Agreed. My little Paso loves to jump....in fact I'm taking him over some jumps at a farm tomorrow....I've never gotten off to measure them, but I will tomorrow. He does jump dramatically, and because of that, I jump him bareback (plus, I have a western saddle, and those are NO good for jumping).....its 100 times easier to move with him harmoniously/softly.

He's never refused a jump, and he clears them by a mile. So does my Morgan... :roll: .....I've got some pretty brave and athletic ponies. :D

[lisa l aka marci]

I too would support a rule change. Even 2'6" is plenty for a jump.

One problem I see at shows is that there isn't enough warm-up done by the participants prior to the class. Asking a horse to jump even 2 feet without being properly warmed up can be dangerous.

At the NE shows I attend, I have been making a point of setting up at least one practice jump and have used it quite a bit myself.

If you are at a show, and plan on having the Versatility and Trail class with jumps, I believe a practice jump is required to be available. Don't have time to check the rule book this minute......but will when I can.

[pasofantasy]

Does the rule state just one jump in the class or allow more at different heights similar to hunter jumper?

I have a couple, who love to jump and can go up there. My husband says that one must have gone 5' in the air when she didn't want to in the creek on a ride with our trail club. Another jumped from a stall and cleared at least, 12 feet of concrete. He did manage to get out at a show once, so we only showed him where we knew he would have full doors afterwards.

Mac MacDonald loved jumping. He said, that one of his did over 6 feet at some jumping competition. My husband thinks it was 6'6". BTW pasofan, he's the trainer, who used to show Campanero.

[pnalley]

18 inches to 2 feet is plenty high.

18 inches doesnot look big when you are standing next to it, but when you're trying to jump it it's HUGE!!!!

[Cindy]

Does the rule state just one jump in the class or allow more at different heights similar to hunter jumper?


There is only one jump in the class.

[moonrize]

I agree with Paula - 18inches to 2 ft ought to be enough to prove willingness to jump.

[motorgypsy]

A 2 foot jump feels HUGE on a 13 2 paso fino. Ours also jump waaay higher than the pole and it's very scary. I'd also like to see the 2 foot limit.

At our local jumping shows the ponies jump 2 6 max. (under 14 2)