Ive competed at advanced level eventing and after time away to raise a family am looking to re-enter the horse world in the show jumper ring. I’ve competed at HITS Culpepper and Upperville in the jumper ring and one of the differences I’ve found is that in warm up, people seem to “own” a jump, so if I am attending shows without help, how do I warm up? Not having an exact ride time throws me too, how do people manage their time at shows, knowing when they will go in a certain class without hanging around all day? Is there trailer-in to most shows, it seems most people get a stall. What are some other differences? Show jumper protocol I may not be aware of? I’ve always done jumper classes in a polo shirt. When do you wear formal jackets? Color of jacket & breeches? I did the 6-bar in a grey jacket and kaki breeches, but I don’t know if that was correct. I will grab the rule book too! I am not currently going to be training with anyone so I thought I’d ask here.
At shows like Culpepper and Upperville, most people are going to have stalls, as they will be there for a week/weeks at a time. I haven’t been to Upperville, but I know at HITS you can trailer in (but there is a fee for that).
Smaller 1 or 2-day shows will usually allow trailer-ins without a fee.
I showed a bit on my own, and there will be a lot of ‘hurry up and wait’. If I knew my classes would be later in the day, and I was close enough to do so, I would head over to the show in the morning, check out the numbers, look at the courses and put my name in with the gate guy.
If the course designer was using the same course for multiple classes that day, I would try and walk an earlier class for 2 reasons
- I wouldn’t need anyone to hold my horse
- While everyone else was walking, I could be warming up- which is really beneficial, since as you said, people tend to ‘own’ jumps. I’ve found that usually during the walk at least 1 jump is free, and if not, there is typically a groom ‘holding’ it while trainer and student are in the ring, and they’re usually happy to move out of the way, if you tell them you’ll stop once their charge gets on.
You can never go wrong with tan breeches and a dark colored coat. White breeches for classics however! (They will have ‘Classic’ in the class name, and the prize money will be greater).
Even if you’re going trainer-less, bringing along a friend or horse-crazed teen from the barn can be a huge advantage, as there is someone to hold/set jumps for you (I got away with my warm up strategy because my guy needed 2 low jumps before he walked in the ring, nothing more!), brush your boots off, etc.
As a rider who went the other way, from the A/O and GP jumpers to predominately eventing (still hit the jumpers for a fun break), I want to let others understand that Advanced level eventing is the equivalent of doing the “A” Open Jumpers in terms of training, skill and horsemanship needed (recent starter stats show that about only 1% of the entire eventing population in the US competes at Advanced!). Some of the Advanced level XC fences make a 4’9" oxer look easy.
I always managed time by just hanging out by the trailers or the stalls, keeping an eye on what class was running where by wandering through the show and watching what I can in the arena where I will be showing. Yes, frustrating a lot of the time, but it is the only way to do it. When I show by myself I simply fold my jump schools into a group who “owns” a fence and seem to be raising it as needed to match my needs. I will discuss this with the “owner” as well. Generally, they are accommodating.
I agree with RAyers- if I have no one there as ground crew I try to establish myself in the schooling ring by figuring out who is doing the same stuff at the same time. I will call my fences but I’ll also ask if I can school along with them as I don’t have ground crew. Unless people are really bitchy, this usually works. I do try to bring along at least one helper, though, at least to hold my horse while I walk the course, etc. Although, he ties to the trailer (which tends to shock many H/J people, but it’s really handy), so that is always an option for me.
My trainer is an eventer and nearly all of my friends event (and, in fact, my older horse events with a young trainer friend of mine), so I know a lot more about the eventing side of things than most H/J people. Up through about 1.1m (~3’6") a lot (not all!) of the horses and riders are going to be less educated than you and your horse due to your dressage training, so don’t let anyone make you feel out of place or inferior! I take my young horse to shows without my trainer and while some people can be snotty about it I’ve found that being super-polite and friendly goes a long way toward being part of the scene. It also helps that my horse is super-polite and friendly- everyone always wants to say hi to him.
As for clothes- see what other people are wearing in your division(s), see what suits your own taste, and go from there. I like wearing a coat and shirt with light tan or even grey breeches, but lower level divisions (and almost all unrated shows) often see lots of polos. My coats are the newer more jumper-y jackets, because I like them and they fit my body type, but any hunt coat is fine for the jumpers, I think.
As for timing- well, there isn’t much you can do. If you know about how many people are competing in the divisions that can help you plan, but you will probably spend a lot of time sitting around wishing you had ride times again, unfortunately! I trailer in for one-day shows (Swan Lake has some great rated jumper shows with my divisions all on one day), but if I am showing over two or more days I like to get a stall because nothing is close enough to my barn that it isn’t exhausting for me and my horse to ship back and forth.
It’s funny because I grew up in the H/J world and competed on the A circuit throughout my junior years, but I now find myself outside of it a bit because I’m so DIY- it can definitely be alienating, but it doesn’t have to be. I am planning to do a bunch of the Swan Lake stuff so if that is in your area PM me and maybe we can meet up! 
It is a few years ago now, but yes, you can trailer-in at Upperville.
Some of your questions are difficult to answer definitively because the answers will vary depending on where you are showing.
Formal attire vs. polo shirts, for instance, is one that can be completely different depending on where you are. In some places, weekends are always formal attire, whereas in others the lesser rings could be informal attire throughout the entire show. There are also cases where important classes earlier in the week require formal attire (an Open Welcome, or Young Horse classes, etc.). When in doubt, ask the in-gate person!
As far as not having ride times, I’ll link you to my blog post on how to estimate your ride time rather than copy over to here and have this post be ridiculously long. At each show, you’ll get to know based on the size of the ring, the course design and the efficiency/assertiveness of the in-gate person whether to estimate things to go a little bit faster or more slowly.
http://showringready.blogspot.ca/2013/05/estimating-wait-time-before-you-will.html
It’s very difficult to warm up over fences by yourself at a hunter/jumper show. Sometimes others will be happy to share (ask first, and keep an eye on the rider you’re sharing with so that you don’t delay their warm-up by waiting too long to follow or by cutting them off), or someone from the next jump might be willing to adjust your jump if you ask nicely (though you still risk “your” jump being stolen by it appearing to be free).
If you can throw a towel or a cooler over a jump in the warm up ring you may be able to deter some people from stealing it. Otherwise I would just ask to share a jump, or if you spot someone standing around by the ring not doing anything they might be willing to set for you.
If you’re close to the show you can always stop by in the morning and ask the ingate person when they think your class will start. The ones at the bigger shows are usually pretty good at guesstimating. You can’t really blame them though if their ended up being a bunch of adds throughout the day.
As far as attire it will depend when and where you’re showing. If you have well fitted polos, tan and white (for the classics, etc.) breeches, a shirt, and jacket in your arsenal then you’ll be fine.
My only other suggestion is hunter hair. People may jump on me for being shallow, but it’s just one of those little things that 99% of h/j people do.
Re: trailering in, call ahead. I sometimes trailer in and love it, but sometimes shows don’t really plan for trailer ins, i.e. inconvenient parking areas, etc. Depends on the show. I find it much cheaper, and I would think it much more convenient if you are looking to show and then get home to your family.
Re: timing: First check in at the show office or online (depending on the show) to figure out how many horses/rounds per class and then check the schedule and count it out to guesstimate what time your class will start. The evening before you show, double check that the schedule hasn’t been changed. Sometimes show management assumes that everyone showing is simply hanging around all day at the show grounds hanging on the management’s every decision and sometimes classes get moved unexpectedly. Second, the morning of the show check in with the gate person and ask them what time they think your class will go, usually they will have a good estimate for what time the course walk will be. Also, double check (again) that your class hasn’t moved to another ring or another time, etc.
Getting your course walked and getting warmed up without a helper will be tough. All you need is a friend who can hold your horse for five minutes and then stand next to a jump in the warmup area and raise/lower it for you. I think that trying to warm up with someone might work but also might not, it could be awkward. Just recognize that there is a lot more hand holding going on in the H/J world vs. the event world, so don’t try to share a jump with some nervous amateur.
If you are new to the jumper world, I would say show up in a tidy collared shirt (like a polo shirt) and keep a show shirt and a jacket in your truck/trailer just in case. You’ll figure out soon enough when you need what. You will never look out of place in a show shirt and a jacket though. Re: breech color, nowadays everyone is wearing tan breeches, grey and other colors are less popular. Don’t go in the ring without a collared shirt. Hunter hair is always nice, but avoid hairnets over loose ponytails or those weird barrettes with the net over the ponytail.
This is great! Thank you so much for the advice. So “hunter hair”… this is hair tucked up under a helmet with a hairnet? And it does sound like just bringing another human being of any sort to hold horse and stand next to a jump will help make warm up smoother. I am extremely DIY and it helps to realize it may be very different in the H/J world, even more so than I was expecting. Also the tip of A Smile Goes A Long Way." is worth remembering. Case in point: My friend was riding last minute in a George Morris Clinic and making all sorts of riding mistakes, he was coming down on her for them when she stopped her horse, grinned at him, and said “I really am a true blonde under this helmet, I’m just having lots of blonde moments.” He found it quite amusing and was very kind to her the rest of the ride.
http://showringready.blogspot.ca/2011/04/hunter-hair-explained.html
Here is a link describing how to do hunter hair. There are different ways to do it, but essentially the goal is to have your hair covering at least the tops of your ears. There may be a few other tips for you on that website.
I am in the same boat as you right now. I switched over to Jumpers and Dressage this summer and it has been a very different experience.
- Yes, bring a helper. Otherwise, you will have issues with course walks and warming up. Many juniors are eager to tag along. Not sure if you are associated with pony club or not but many of those girls love to come and help.
- Be nice but don’t be a push over. Some people are going to be rude because your there without a trainer. Don’t let people boss you around.
- Trailering in is difficult but can be done. Just make sure you call in the morning about times. Some shows are better about schedules than others.
- You will soon find which shows are more friendly to your needs. Once you figure this out it should be smooth sailing.
Most of the time, you are welcome to work yourself in over those warm up fences. If you just hang around and never say anything? Nobody will give you another thought, so just ask “can I follow your rider”? 90% of the time it’s not a problem but stay right behind that rider. And say thank you, appreciate it.
The more dramatic fence hogging seems to be in the very low ring warm ups. Have a sense OP here is in a division where less handholding is required.
The more you show, the more recognizable you will get and its less of a problem to speak up and stick your nose into that line working the warm up jumps.
Might find it helpful to chat with a good gate person during a lull. Most will share how they estimate times. In Hunters it’s 2 min a trip and 25-27 trips an hour with no empty ring time. More realistically, 20-22 trips. Jumpers can be the same with a speed or power and speed but longer if they stay in for a jump off and it’s hard to know how many will do that. Have to add for course resets and drags, and a few rebuilds after less memorable trips.
Cant control empty ring time and adds but you can get your number on the list to go, say, 20th., 40 to 60 minutes after the first rider in your class goes. Get on 10 trips-20-30 min out, start your warm up flat then work your fences in as they come up. That’s what the trainers do, they know where they are on that list so they do not have to hang around all day. Saying" hey trainer person, I am 6 out and going behind your first two riders and ahead of the other two, can I share the fence here?" will solve your problem.
I don’t know- unless you like the way it looks I wouldn’t worry a lot about having hunter hair! I have long hair and I find that if I braid it and tuck it up neatly with a good hairnet under my hat that it looks nice and tidy. It’s jumpers- you don’t need to look exactly like everyone else. I don’t even mind the pony tails as much as some people, but I think having one’s hair tucked up certainly looks nicer.
Watch a bunch of upper level jumper classes and see what styles are used by the most competent-looking people and choose what you think will suit you best. I like being very neat and tidy, but I also like touches of color in my horse’s colors (baby blue, white, and black), on both me and him- piping, ear bonnet, my shirt, etc. If you use gloves you might want to have some that are just for showing- black Roeckl jumper gloves are my favorites.
Oh- jumper riders usually pin their numbers to their saddle pads versus wearing them tied around their waists. At my first rated jumper show I found this out while waiting around for my first class and felt like a newby dork without a trainer to tell her how she was supposed to look. :lol:
Ha! The number on the pad not the waist, yes those little tips are appreciated! I’d rather find out here on COTH than at the show. I like to know things even if I decide to choose a different path, don’t mind being the “weird” one because I believe in my riding and my horses. Don’t want to disrupt things though or shoot myself in the foot by not knowing the ropes. The generalization on how the time schedule works is great. Thank you!
[QUOTE=squintycat;7852389]
Ha! The number on the pad not the waist, yes those little tips are appreciated! I’d rather find out here on COTH than at the show. I like to know things even if I decide to choose a different path, don’t mind being the “weird” one because I believe in my riding and my horses. Don’t want to disrupt things though or shoot myself in the foot by not knowing the ropes. The generalization on how the time schedule works is great. Thank you![/QUOTE]
If I don’t have pins I wear the number on my back. No one says anything, but then again I also wear my hair in a pony tail 
As long as you are within the rules it doesn’t really matter. Some people wear a show coat and braids every single day, other’s show in polo’s until they are forced to wear a shirt and coat for the weekend.
2 mins a round is about right, and usually the gate people are great about estimating the times. It’s usually only if you are the lowest priority hunter/jumper ring that you get the gate holds we are “infamous” for.
I often trailer in to shows, but depending where you are showing you may find it easier to stable. For example, Thunderbird charges a high enough fee for shipping in that getting a stall/shavings works out about the same when you factor in gas.
I also find if I’m showing maybe 1.15m and under it’s doable to fit in and school with other trainers. 1.20m+ I very much prefer to be able to do a warm up exactly how I want, and I also find the warm up ring tends to get more hectic and competitive at higher heights/bigger money so its much more comfortable to have someone at the jump for you. I’ve done it in a pinch at 1.30m but it was definitely stressful!
And if you do decide to put your number on the saddle pad, make sure that you attach it to the side the in-gate person will see as you’re passing by them on the way into the ring. Putting it on the other side is one way to really annoy the in-gate person and make their life a lot more difficult.
As far as attire, you are better to be over dressed than underdressed. If you are in a show shirt and jacket and everyone else in polos, you can always ditch the jacket or open the collar to look a bit more in line.
Some trainers can be downright menacing about schooling jumps, don’t let them put you off. The fact is that the jump “belongs” to the show host and yes, you may jump it as long as you are using proper ring etiquette. Don’t butt in front of anyone. If trainer has a lineup of riders, wait. If she has one rider and they have to go ALL…THE…WAY… around the ring to get back to the fence, jump it!
As for class times, there is simply a strange warping of the space/time continuum that occurs at shows. Your best bet would be to find someone who will be showing in your ring earlier who can text you updates about how fast or slow the ring is moving. Otherwise, you will have to get there and hang out.
I agree about bringing a friend to hold horse while you see the secretary, pee, grab lunch etc. They can set a fence or two and wipe your boots for you. it’s nice to have some company as well.
[QUOTE=Janet;7850214]
It is a few years ago now, but yes, you can trailer-in at Upperville.[/QUOTE]
Not only can you trailer in, they also don’t charge a trailer-in (grounds) fee (at least on the hunter side).
Here is a list to answer all your questions and some tips/tricks as I went from eventing to jumpers too
- You do “own” jumps. Don’t just jump random jumps because people will get peeved off.
- You can jump in both directions (the jumps are never flagged)
- I normally say that a class with 10 people is an hour, that’s including harrowing between classes and the obligatory stragglers but it all depends on how organized the in gate is and how many ring conflicts there are
- Bribe the in gate person generally with food. Do it in advanced so they don’t realize you’re priming them to like you.
- Be prepared to wait. Wait for your class to start. Wait until it’s over. Wait until the single tractor whips around your massive ring to harrow every square inch of it. Wait for your ribbons. Wait for the class to start.
- Bring a backpack to the ring with everything you need (towels, water, treats, munchies, spurs, whip, coat, blankets, etc.)
- Make sure you go to the ingate and get your order before you start warming up
- I normally start jumping with 5 horses away. More if you’re setting for yourself obviously.
- Make sure your horse is okay with horses/ponies almost touching him as they fly by at mach 9
- Don’t invade personal space in the warm-up
- Don’t be afraid to yell “heads-up!” when somebody isn’t paying attention
- Don’t run into anyone, the warm-up ring is the ultimate test for your horses rideability
- Don’t go in front of the warm-up jumps. That is how you get run over/yelled at.
- Watch for people walking through the ring randomly
- Basically, if you see somebody who is riding around aimlessly or has very little concept on how to control their steed, stay away from them. Nothing good ever comes from being anywhere near them.
- There is almost always ship-in parking. Sometimes there is a fee but most of the time it is free.
- Bring a container of water for your horse. Water can be really far and hard to lug
- Make sure your horse is okay with being tied or on the trailer. You will need this for all the waiting
- If you’re shipping in more than 3 times/you’re over an hours drive away from the show, just ship in
- Don’t buy a tack trunk without wheels (get a stanley toolbox one)
- Formal attire is worn on weekends only
- Tuck in your polo shirt and get some nice belts
- Only wear whites for a classic (you can spot the eventers miles away by their whites on a thursday)
- Tan is acceptable always and you can wear any colour you want during the week
- You probably shouldn’t wear full seats, but if you’re into the function over fashion thing, be my guest
- Wear any colour jacket you want. Literally any colour. There is a jacket colour coordination chart floating around…I can’t seem to find it though
- Find somebody to train with. Even if it is just for shows. They will walk the course with you, hold your horse when you have to pee, set jumps and be an all around great support. Go with somebody who is reputable in the industry
I think that is it! Good luck and have fun! The H/J people aren’t as horrible as eventers seem to think (and vice versa!).
I beg to differ.
At Upperville the warm up jumps WERE flagged.
