Chapter - 03

Over The Fence

Photography can be a fascinating business, and although the majority of people profess to dislike being taken, it is remarkable how interested they become when their own picture is in evidence. Over the fence is the moment usually chosen for Show Jumping photographs, mainly no doubt because it is the most spectacular, but also because it is the moment when the horse and rider are apt to look their best. When analyzing such photographs, the horse's attitude in general, and the use he is making of his limbs in particular, will frequently show whether the rider is assisting or hindering him, and in what way. Different theories have been put forward regarding the ideal position for the rider, but surely this must be resolved by two things—assistance and control. To assist his horse to clear the fence, the rider must distribute his weight, and use his fingers and hands to keep an even feeling, so that balance is not disturbed. To retain control, which he must have in the very near future upon landing, he must be looking along his chosen route, his hands must be positioned for independent action, his lower leg must be ready to give any indication required, and his seat must be far enough out of the saddle to obviate any possibility of cramping the loin muscles, but not so far that there is a danger of pivoting on the stirrup-iron, which will at once act on the hands. Moreover, he should be relaxed and supple, for any muscular rigidity will not only communicate itself to the horse but also impede split-second action.

The "over-the-fence" phase is the one during which peculiarities in the rider's position are most noticeable, and, in consequence, criticisms are usually leveled at him at this phase, to the exclusion of the others. Although profoundly important, it is only a part of the whole performance, and it would be a great mistake to judge a rider's quality solely on his position "in the air."

PLATE 25

Everything according to plan, and an excellent example of balance and poise. The rider is in complete harmony, and on the alert for any eventuality. The attitude adopted is all that could be desired, combining assistance to the horse, and sympathetic control over him. The positioning of the rider's hand and leg, the weight distribution, and forward outlook along the next approach, should be noted. Exhibitions of this high quality will always draw the crowd and merit their approval, thus being of inestimable value to the future of Show Jumping.

PLATE 26

The horse is enjoying himself, and showing approval of the arrangements made during the approach and take-off. His forelegs are well folded, and he is beginning the forward and downward movement of head and neck. The rider's attitude is precise and rhythmical. He is riding with a short rein to keep an even feeling, to ensure that the horse knows where his hand is, and to maintain complete control during the next phases of the jump. His attention is centered on the next fence. An excellent jump, taken with ease and fluency.

PLATE 27

The horse is making a bold jump. The rider, by allowing his lower leg to travel forward, has set himself against the horse's forward and upward movement, so that his center of gravity is too far back, and his hands are forced up. The result may well be a dislodgment of the fence by the hind legs, as the horse will not be able to round his back correctly, due to the overburdening of his loins. A horse cannot systematically clear large obstacles if ridden in this way.

PLATE 27

PLATE 28

A small fence, but dealt with by horse and rider in classical style. The landing phase is about to begin, and the rider is so placed that he will be able to carry out any maneuver he may deem necessary. He is looking straight ahead, where no doubt the next fence is situated, and is beginning to measure his stride to it. He will land in a highly balanced state, and will be able to shorten or lengthen stride immediately to suit the occasion.

PLATE 29

The horse is jumping with a flat back, and a knock down with the hind legs seems probable. The rider is endeavoring to rectify this by throwing his weight as far forward as he can. In doing this he has pushed his elbow out, making an even feeling difficult. He has obscured vision to the right by leaning down on the near side, and, with an unbalanced landing a distinct probability, another fence close to this one might prove to be very awkward.

PLATE 28

PLATE 29

PLATE 30

A very pleasing picture. The rider is sitting very correctly, and is master of the situation. It is of interest that the right rein rests between the little and fourth fingers, denoting a very light feeling on the mouth. A more complete folding up of the horse's forelegs would be desirable.

PLATE 31

The theory must be that, if the rider's weight is entirely segregated from the horse, he will have complete freedom from any form of human embarrassment. After all, a horse jumping loose seldom makes a mistake. In fact, the greater portion of the rider's weight is being taken up by his forearms and hands on the horse's neck. He has abandoned contact with the mouth, his outlook does not allow for consideration of future developments, and he will not regain a position in the saddle from which control can be exercised until well after the landing phase.

PLATE 30

PLATE 31

PLATE 32

It is affirmed in some quarters that the introduction of time as a deciding factor has encouraged flat-back jumping, and that horses no longer arch themselves properly over a fence. This is a very sweeping contention, and must surely be a fallacy when the great heights and spreads now crossed in puissance events are considered. Speed events are tests of quick thinking, obedience, impulsion, and handiness. The courses designed for them are not tests of big jumping, and quickness in the air is often decisive. From the dimensions of the fences shown in this picture, it can be assumed that it was taken during a speed event. Ethically, a more rounded back could be desired at this stage. The fence is, however, being given enough room, and the rider is ideally placed for a quick getaway after landing. He will be able, as a result of his position, to make any sharp change of direction without loss of balance.

PLATE 33

A very different type of fence, high, flimsy, with a large spread, built as an eliminator rather than as a test of quality. A knock down of the farthest element seems certain. Perhaps if the rider's weight distribution and general position were adapted for assistance it might yet be avoided. Now is the moment for great extension of the head and neck to help the hind quarters, a reaction rendered impossible by the present position of the rider's hands.

PLATE 32

PLATE 33

PLATES 34 & 35

There is no gainsaying that "it is results that count," or that "the proof of the pudding is in the eating." The general public expects something exciting and spectacular in sport, something that looks difficult and hazardous. For the less knowledgeable, acrobatics by the rider over the fence fulfill all these requirements. In addition to this, the practice of acrobatics has, does, and always will bring results over certain types of courses. It is a method of riding, and, as such, need not be condemned out of hand as an evil practice. Like anything out of the ordinary, it is anathema to some and a joy to others.

If analyzed, the following facts emerge. The rider starts to leave the saddle at or before the take-off. He has no contact with any part of the horse, except the mouth, whilst over the fence. There is no weight, except again through the hands, on the horse during this phase. His seat, speaking anatomically, cannot touch the saddle again until, at earliest, the ultimate stage of the landing. Leaving the question of assistance to the horse as too controversial a subject, it can be seen that, from just before the take-off to after the start of the getaway, the rider's control ceases, except to a very slight degree with the hands. This must result in the rider's incapacity to produce impulsion or to maintain accurate balance. Therefore, when fences are sited at difficult distances from each other, the rider is not in a position, au moment critique, to render assistance or to exert control.

On an international level this method demands too much of the horse's courage, and cannot be successful.

PLATE 34

PLATE 35

PLATE 36

A picture of live-wire, elegant efficiency. The tactical plan for riding the course has been worked out, and is being put into practice. A quick change of direction to the right after jumping the fence has been decided upon. The rider is looking along the chosen route, and is commencing the change of direction before actually landing by bending the horse's head and neck, and distributing weight, slightly to the right. A marvelous technique, with the will to win clearly demonstrated, which will pay untold dividends in speed events.

PLATE 37

The horse is nearly at the summit of a fine leap over a fence of some magnitude. This must indicate that the approach and take-off phases have been balanced and full of impulsion, which, in its turn, does more than suggest that the rider must have been in a position to produce or maintain these two essentials. It is surprising then to find him adopting a somewhat monkey-like attitude at this stage, and remarkable that, with no contact at all with the saddle, he is able to keep an even feeling on the horse's mouth. It is as well for him that this fence does not constitute the first jump of a difficult treble.

PLATE 36

PLATE 37

PLATE 38

This is probably a fence in a speed event course. The rider's intention is to change direction quickly to the left on landing, and, to save precious seconds, he is trying to commence the change in the air. The plan is excellent, but the execution of it is not meeting with success. This is due to the fact that, in attempting to obtain the necessary bend to the left, he has turned his left elbow, forearm, and hand up and out, so neutralizing the direct rein action, and having no effect on the horse's forehand, which remains straight. This arm movement has pushed his seat down, and the consequent undue weight on the loins will probably cause a knock down behind.

PLATE 39

The whip is an artificial aid for use as a second-line reinforcement, the spur being the first. If carried, it can, obviously, be legitimately used. When negotiating a water jump, which demands pace in the approach, and a quick take-off to get distance, it may at times be necessary to bring it into action. Care must, however, be taken that it is used at the right time, and that the rider's proper position is not changed because of it. Here it would appear to have been employed a little late. The effect of the arm and whip being left behind the rider's body is to encourage his lower leg to move forward. In order to retain his balance, he is sensibly making use of the martingale neck-strap. Nevertheless, he will not have full control on landing, and it must be remembered that it is perfectly in order to site another fence as near as three strides from a water jump.

PLATE 38

PLATE 39

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