Never saw a forum about this so lets see what people can tell us about both of these events:yes:
Show Jumping PRO - Fences fall down.
Eventing CON - Fences don’t fall down.
Eventing CON - Scary, Scary, Scary, HUGE, Fences.
Eventing PRO - RIDER HAS BALLS OF STEEL.
I’m a bit suspicious of this thread because the OP has only made 2 posts and it is so general as to be almost meaningless.
[QUOTE=Belmont;7776192]
Eventing CON - Scary, Scary, Scary, HUGE, Fences.
Eventing PRO - RIDER HAS BALLS OF STEEL.[/QUOTE]
Lol I love that!!
this is what I got
Show Jumping
pro
*No dressage
*More classes
*Cheaper
Eventing
pro
*Cross country
Con
*Dressage
*More Expensive
[QUOTE=pookie101;7776210]
Lol I love that!!
this is what I got
Show Jumping
pro
*No dressage
*More classes
*Cheaper[/QUOTE]
If you want to do show jumping because you don’t want to have to do dressage, then you’re not going to do the show jumping very well.
Not necessarily cheaper, especially if you do more classes.
[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;7776208]
I’m a bit suspicious of this thread because the OP has only made 2 posts and it is so general as to be almost meaningless.[/QUOTE]
How could it be meaningless? Its just to see the pros and cons of both of these events. People can add there comments about them witch one they prefer or what one they don’t. Because I only made 2 posts is because I just joined today because my original account got locked and I forgot the password and I don’t have access to that email anymore
Probably the first time anybody has said Show Jumping is cheaper then Eventing…unless speaking of unrated local shows with no nomination fees, multiple memberships, zone fees and the assorted other fees and charges just to take the horse off the trailer.
What the what?
I’ve always been told Eventing was cheaper, because my friends try to con me into trying it. But I am a wiener.
It depends- if you want to do big deal eventing it is quite expensive (entry fees, two saddles, two bridles, and two sets of show clothes), but jumpers at the big shows are definitely still more expensive. On the other hand, you can often win money in the jumpers even at lower levels, which you don’t see in lower-level eventing.
At the lowest levels of both they are comparable. It is when you get into the rated/recognized stuff that expenses mount. However, most events, even recognized, are one day whereas rated shows are usually at least two-three days for jumper divisions. H/J shows have grounds fees, stabling fees, office fees, blah blah blah- and that is where things add up.
ETA: the costs of a good jumper versus a good event horse are also very different, in large part because H/J people are conditioned to pay more, and in part because what one needs for each discipline is different. I’m not talking about a potential Rolex winner or a GP horse- there the prices will both be very high. But you can find a cheap event horse that can move up the levels much easier than a cheap jumper who can do the same.
In eventing you can end up getting eliminated for many stupid things and you are done-Sj you can get eliminated for fewer stupid things (off course) and go in the next class.
Agreed that you might need two sets of everything plus lot sof other equipment to event even at the lower levels.
If you dont have a dressage loving and moving horse at the lower levels you may be doomed to end up in the middle of the pack or lower always. I dont think that is a requirement for lower level jumping to place well. (You can have horse that moves like a sewing machine swishes tail and pins ears…and still do ok at jumpers.)
[QUOTE=pookie101;7776234]
How could it be meaningless? Its just to see the pros and cons of both of these events. People can add there comments about them witch one they prefer or what one they don’t. Because I only made 2 posts is because I just joined today because my original account got locked and I forgot the password and I don’t have access to that email anymore[/QUOTE]
Whew! For a minute I thought you were someone from PETA trying to stir the pot up about horse sports.
[QUOTE=GoneAway;7776230]
If you want to do show jumping because you don’t want to have to do dressage, then you’re not going to do the show jumping very well.
Not necessarily cheaper, especially if you do more classes.[/QUOTE]
Which is the beauty of it. As the dressage improves the jumping gets cleaner. Jumping only looks easy.
And while lower level eventing is cheaper, the extra saddle is nice but if you stay out of the water splash , the same breeches will do with a different jacket.
[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;7776753]
Whew! For a minute I thought you were someone from PETA trying to stir the pot up about horse sports.[/QUOTE]
lol no just a girl wanting to know the pros and cons:lol:
You know, it’s kind of apples and oranges. Most people prefer one or the other based on their personal likes, dislikes and talents instead of general pros and cons. Sometimes it’s the talent of a horse more then rider preference as well.
Show Jumping:
Pro:
- If you hit a jump, it falls down
- You can go to local shows that run classes back to back. At the lower levels, this is great for getting in a couple of classes in a division to help green horses or green riders.
- It’s as objective as it gets. It is difficult to argue with the clock.
Con:
- If you compete at higher level or it’s a bigger show, then you might only get to go in one class per day. That makes things difficult if you are trailering in each day.
- If you are showing in classes that are <1.0m a lot of shows don’t have separate classes for amateurs and professionals. When I show in the 0.8 or 0.9m I’m often in there with pros showing young horses. Sometimes even former olympians are in there. lol. Great for bragging rights if you get a ribbon, sucks if you don’t.
Eventing:
Pro:
- Variety: you get to do several types of classes, usually over one day, sometimes 2.
- If your horse does well at dressage and is a careful jumper, you will do well at the lower levels.
Con:
- If you hit a jump, it is more likely that you or your horse will fall over than the jump will.
- get eliminated on one phase and you can’t compete in anything else.
No one has mentioned the longevity of the horses. I think, if you look at the ages of the horses at the higher levels, horses that specialize in SJ last longer than those at the higher levels of eventing. That’s not nothing.
If you want to be successful least SJ, you’d better put time into dressage, otherwise you’ll never get the adjustability you need to be successful.
SJ has money classes!
That said, at the lower levels of SJ, the good riders bringing their horses along correctly often get slaughtered by the yahoos who turn their horses off their feet and rush the jumps. I would think the dressage and more solid jumps would discourage (or at least make less appealing) lower levels of eventing for those “riders.”
And then there is water, which my horse will jump but won’t step a foot in. So, no eventing for me. 
Not sure about the age thing. There are quite a few older horses trucking around the lower levels of Eventing just as there are the lower levels of SJ. But at elite levels of either, very very few past , say, 17 or so out there.
Think it’s about the same. One or two older elite level horses over many, many years don’t really support the generality.
Eventing…only the rider can ride at the show. No trainers can get on and school, no outside assistance. It is all about you and your partnership with your horse. This appeals to me…may not appeal to others.
Eventing you can be very successful on a off breed, or OTTB–and it is common for people to be on those. While money can buy you a nice horse, at a much sooner level it doesn’t matter as much as you still have to ride it yourself well in all three phases.
Eventing gets you out of the ring…and is a bigger adrenaline rush on xc.
Jumpers–the fences fall down (if that bothers you).
Jumpers–you often have more classes you can enter if your first one doesn’t go well.
Jumpers–you can win money.
Honestly–I’ve done both, still occassionally do both (although focus more on eventing)…and many riders/horses do both. Why limit yourself?
As to the longevity of the horses IME–it is similar in both disciplines. There are few that stay at the highest levels for super long. Many come down the levels and many lower level horses in both disciplines compete for a long time…and most are extremely well cared for and love their jobs.
And around here, at least, you can and do event against Olympic veterans at even the lower levels. I have been beat by many a team rider…and…on a good dressage day…have beat one or two myself (ok, probably their horses learned to jump the Thursday before the show, but hey! Still counts…)
