No Oxers In Short/Long Stirrup Divisions?

[Equitational]

So I took on the task as show manager for a series of local hunter/jumper shows. Shows are grass roots level, mostly entry level beginner riders. My second show was in June and I had MAJOR complaints from one particular barn (which happens to train out of the facility the shows are held at). The complaint was that I had oxers in the 2’ and 2’3" hunter classes. One person (from the barn) even complained the jumps were too high. My ring crew guys had tape measures and ended up lowering the fences from 22" to 18" for the 2’ divisions. The riders from that particular barn ended up scratching all the 2’, 2’3" hunter and equitation classes because they didn’t want to jump oxers… It was a small show and those riders were the only ones entered in those classes, so a lot of classes were canceled.

Supposedly that barn/group of riders is still complaining about the oxers. One lady was arguing with me the day of the show saying “there are no oxers allowed in the 2’ and 2’3” divisions". “It’s in the USEF rule book” she said. Now they are saying there “are no oxers in short and long stirrup divisions”. I told them that those weren’t rated hunter divisions, so the USEF doesn’t have their own specifications for them. I even looked up our bigger local schooling show association which has short, long and now a mini stirrup division. While the specs only list the fence height or cross bars/trotting allowed (for mini stirrup), it doesn’t mention ANYTHING about oxers.

Keep in mind at my show, my hunter divisions were open hunter divisions (with one class for jr/am only) so I wanted to mimic a real division (each height section had an under saddle and two over fence classes with two different courses). I do have a cross-bar class and state “no oxers and trotting allowed” for that class.

I mean, as a show manager, am I asking too much of the riders expecting them to jump oxers in the 2’ hunter classes???

PS. My show manager positions is strictly a volunteer position for the non-profit equestrian park; I’m not making ANY money putting the shows on. So if people don’t show up or scratch classes, it doesn’t affect or bother me (financially).

[Credosporthorses]

I have never seen oxers in any 2’ class, rated or schooling show. Last rated show I attended I don’t recall seeing any oxers in the short/long stirrup classes either. I would say that putting oxers in the class is up to you, but to keep the paying exhibitors I would not have oxers in any class under 2’6’’

[IndyEquestrian]

It’s a mixed bag. . . Some shows have oxers at 2’, some don’t. At 2’3" there are almost always oxers. . . Are your shows run by a Hunter/Jumper Association or some other organization that you can go to for clarification?

It makes sense for their to be continuity, either all the shows in the series have oxers at 2’ or none do. . .

I can’t remember the last time I had someone in the SS ring at a rated show. . . I feel like we had oxers. I’m pretty sure anyway. . . In the pony ring and the 2’6"+ rings we’ve been showing in recently, oxers are a fact of life.

That wasn’t very helpful. . . sorry!

[Cabaret_SK]

Locally, most shows have no oxers at 2’, and then have them at 2’3".

[Equitational]

Our show series are not sanctioned by any associations. I would like them to be eventually added to the great regional schooling show association but we are just out of the mileage allowance. I did look at their rule book and didn’t find anything specify oxers or not (just fence heights).

I competed for two years in the long stirrup division; I remember jumping oxers (and being intimidating by them at the time)!

I’m planning to change my classes and divisions for next year, adding more cross bar classes and possibly a walk/trot opportunity class. And possibly an 18" vertical only class. But I still would like my main hunter classes to mimic a real course you would find at a rated show…

I also didn’t want to accommodate these people by removing the oxer at my second show, because I had oxers at my first show. And for year-end divisions and points for the series, I didn’t want it to be unfair that some riders had easier courses or classes than others who are competing for the same division (but didn’t attend that show, etc).

[Equitational]

And let me be clear, the people who complained about the oxers said its in the USEF rule book there are no oxers allowed for 2’ and 2’3" classes…

[relocatedTXjumpr]

I am currently in LS as I just started riding back after a hiatus…yes I am the oldest person in the division, which sucks, lol.

Anywho, there were oxers at the first show of the year in LS, since then there have no been any. There are never any in the SS division.

I made the move up to pre-adult the last show which is 2’6 and I made the comment about how it was the oxers that looked huge…mainly because I had not shown over any oxers in quite a while.

We school them at home, but with all of the show “fluff” they just look bigger, lol.

[hb]

In the Washington and Oregon shows I’ve been to, there have not been oxers in the 2’ or 2’3" amateur divisions. The Pony divisions at those heights sometimes have oxers, and the tiny hunter (“pro”) divisions sometimes have oxers at those heights.
Last year, a shorter show had the “pro” 2’3" division and the Long Stirrup division on the same day, and accidentally opened both cards at the same time. The Long Stirrup riders’ coaches called out that the LS divisions did not have oxers in any other classes, so they dropped the back rails when a LS rider went and put them back up for the pros in Tiny Hunter. That made the lines look weird, with a taller vertical to a lower vertical.

If there are never oxers in the classes most of the LS and 2’ riders probably have not schooled them at home. That would make them pretty intimidating in the show atmosphere, even though they would probably ride just fine. Better to keep in line with what shows are doing in your area, it’s what everyone is prepped for.

[Gnomeland]

We never have oxers at 2’ but we do at 2’3. It all depends.

[findeight]

USEF has no rules for much under 3’ except Small Ponies and those jump oxers. Some regional clubs have no oxers in the 11&under Eq but most places I seen have them in anything 2’3" and up, including Short/Long Stirrup-and lead changes would be expected.

For those whining about it citing USEF rules, ask them to show you.

BUT it might be best to leave them out of the step over 2’ classes. Doesn’t prove much one way or another with what is little more then a ground pole and, as a manager, you do need to cater to your exhibitor base or they may stay away or go to other shows without oxers, or that host barn trainer gets you uninvited to act as show manager. Pick your battles, stick to those you can win.

I’d compromise and take them out of the 2’, leave them in the 2’3". And stick to your guns with honest, measured height on at least the out fences. Use a tape measure when you set the course so everybody can see. Don’t be afraid to take a protester out to a fence with the tape measure to prove the jumps are as advertised or lower despite what they think or are told.

[LoveJubal]

I’ve never seen oxers at 2’ but I have at 2’3".

[Wonders12]

It’s completely up to you, but try to be consistent moving forward so people know what to expect.

We don’t put oxers in our regular 2ft classes, but that is our lowest height of verticals. I think it’s nice to give one level of verticals without oxers. Whether that’s 2ft or 18" is up to you.

We do include oxers in our 2ft medal classes. We only hold that class at 2’ and 2’6", but generally includes a work off. So the expectation is that the riders are competent riders/horses who just aren’t ready for 2’6".

Everything 2’3" and up includes oxers.

Everything is set to height. (Or as close to it as possible since some of our standards aren’t perfect.)

[tbchick84]

In your prize list, did you mention whether oxers would be in the lower divisions. I’m an eventer, but our prize lists say 2.0 no oxers, 2.3 some oxers etc. That way nobody can say they didn’t know what to expect at a schooling show that is not required to follow the USEA rules.

[Equitational]

I have one cross bar class where I specifically stated trotting allowed and no oxers. I posted course diagrams so you could see vertical vs oxers.

So for my last show this year, I want to put oxers in the 2’ classes (only two classes) since that is consistent with what I did the rest of the year.

Next year I can change classes and add an 18" in class with no oxers. I was already thinking of adding a couple more cross bar classes.

[PNWjumper]

My daughter moved up to the short stirrups (2’3") at our last (big) show (Thunderbird in BC) and there were no oxers. I wish there were because it makes the courses easier for her to remember (or at least it does when she remembers that she can’t jump oxers backwards lol!).

[Rel6]

@Equitational;8231456

The riders from that particular barn ended up scratching all the 2’, 2’3" hunter and equitation classes because they didn’t want to jump oxers… It was a small show and those riders were the only ones entered in those classes, so a lot of classes were canceled.

Regardless of whether or not there should have been oxers to begin with, I’m curious as to why you wouldn’t just drop the back rail in every single person in the division at a schooling show doesn’t want it in?

Our local shows don’t put oxers in until 2ft, and even higher than that they will leave it out of that is the feedback they are getting from the majority of the division. Granted we are a very tiny show and I don’t expect most to do that, but if the inclusion of oxers resulted in the classes being cancelled, what is the harm in taking them out?

[Toaster]

Sometimes you have to lose an argument, the show attendees are your customers and their opinions should be valued - especially ones with enough of your business that it shuts down entire classes if they are unhappy.

[inca]

[QUOTE=Cabaret SK;8231497]
Locally, most shows have no oxers at 2’, and then have them at 2’3".[/QUOTE]

This is the way our local shows work also. And even the rated shows (including Pin Oak) don’t have oxers in short/long stirrup.

[Equitational]

[QUOTE=Rel6;8231701]
Regardless of whether or not there should have been oxers to begin with, I’m curious as to why you wouldn’t just drop the back rail in every single person in the division at a schooling show doesn’t want it in?

Our local shows don’t put oxers in until 2ft, and even higher than that they will leave it out of that is the feedback they are getting from the majority of the division. Granted we are a very tiny show and I don’t expect most to do that, but if the inclusion of oxers resulted in the classes being cancelled, what is the harm in taking them out?[/QUOTE]

So, the thing is, this all occurred during my second show of the year. The same riders/horse/pony combination showed in my first show of the series and jumped the oxers. They did all the divisions (2’ and 2’3") and I had NO complaints. I guess because during my second show, it was breezy, and their pony was acting up so they (or their trainer) didn’t want them to jump oxers.

At a rated show (or ‘real’ show) the course designer is NOT going to change the course to accommodate a riders unruly horse. I want my shows to give the experience and education of a ‘real’ show…The fences were inviting (we don’t have a lot of fillers, just poles will some flowers drilled in them) and not nearly as wide as what you would have at a rated show. My oxers were probably less wide than a typical vertical you find a rated show (with all the flower boxes and ground cover/decoration, those verticals can end up being pretty wide). So, basically deal is no complaints from my first show, only the second show (and both had same riders/horses).

And, while the title of the thread is regarding Short/Long Stirrup…those are NOT the title of my hunter divisions. My divisions are Beginning Hunters (2’), Future Hunters (2’3") and Low Hunters (2’6").

[Equitational]

I guess I didn’t realize there is an unwritten rule to not have oxers in 2’ classes?..I had oxers in the 2’ jumpers and no one complained…