03/09/2024
Watching Youth Show Jumping competition in Incunkains, Latvia. 90-100 cm course. Quick observations:
Next horse is already in the arena, when a current rider starts, sometimes two following horses in the arena, and they manage to keep away of competing horse just fine.
Same classical attire, but mostly black jackets, do not think i saw any navy.
All horses are on the bit in a round frame between fences. Majority of horses are on the aids and many in front of the leg, in the uphill balance.
Most effective riders who did the course in 29-35 seconds had old school seat, maintaining vertical body position over every obstacle or combination. They also had zero or minimal faults.
J. Morris style riders who dive with chest on horse necks showed slower pace on a course, 36-59 sec, more faults.
Very good footing and maintenance. Horses look surefooted, even in super tight speedy turns.
Not a single kid cries. Started class is in the comfort zone for everyone, and kids look like - hey, can we raise the course 20cm higher?
Light trailers are pulled by SUV with hitches, this is very impressive. There are big vans as well with side load, but mostly light trailers for 2 horses straight load pulled by SUVs.
It is -1C today, ground is frozen outside.
Lots of natural light in the warmup and competition arenas.
Norhing is heated 🙂
More later!
