Preparation

The Course designer has to plan out on paper the different courses and will have to study the schedule for each day and decide first on the course and jumps to be used for the most important competition of the day.

On this, the Course Designer will base the course and jumps for the other competitions, being careful to see that no major alterations are required.

The Course Designer must vary the order in which the jumps are taken in order to avoid uniformity, the greatest enemy of jumping competitions.

Course Preparation

This is something of a tactical exercise through the study of all the relevant factors and given concrete form in the track to be followed, the choice of jump and its position in the course.  As a result the following factors have to be considered:

1. The article of the class (type of class)

2. The competitors (number and standard)

3. The ring (ground conditions, entry/exit, Judge's box, gradients, main viewing areas, etc.)

4. Resources (fence material, manpower, trailers etc.)

Course Type

1. Jump-Off Class - fluent and balanced, with changes of direction on both reins.  Standard type and testing.  Varied in their aspect and construction to test the ability and schooling of horse and rider.

2. Speed Class - must include changes of direction which will enable a supple and obedient horse to gain time.

Always read the rule book and check the articles under which each class is judged.

Course Building

On arrival the Course Designer will inspect the ground and note any fixed obstacles, gradients, bad ground etc and decide on certain details of his plans which he had previously left open.

The Course Designer is now in a position to lay the poles and begin to construct the course.  Fence dimensions can often be influenced by the state of the ground and possibly the outcome of any previous competitions.  The Course Designer may have to alter the plans to suit ground conditions, change the direction of the diagonal or put a combination in a different position from that originally planned.

Careful attention to these preliminaries is the hallmark of a 'real' Course Designer.

Checking The Course

Once the course is built, the Course Designer will go around the course again and check the heights and widths of each fence, see the numbers are in place, and flags (if provided) are correctly in place.

Faults should be evenly distributed, more or less, over all the jumps, whilst trying to avoid eliminations through competitors being unable to get around the course.

Measuring The Course

The Course Designer should measure the course himself, with repeated measuring be experienced and competent assistants.  Mistakes in measuring arise far more frequently from a mistaken idea of the course that the horse will follow, than anything else.  So study the course before measuring, don't just follow the numbers.  The time allowed is an important part of the test of the competition, concerning the education of riders and horses.

There is only ONE length for a CORRECTLY measured course.  Reduce the speed if necessary.

Jump-Off

The jump-off is over a shortened course, minimum 6 fences (including one combination).  The precision, skill and speed of the competitor should decide the winner.  Dimensions should be increased slightly to maintain the standard of the class.

The track should: contain at least one change of rein, make use of the arena, contain sponsor jumps and modify line of first round to give options.  Jump-off's can have a new start/finish position, but should never contain a water jump.

Two new fences can be used in the jump-off, which were not used in the initial course - but must be numbered when the course is walked.

During The Class

During the class, the task of the Course Designer is to supervise the rebuilding of the fences knocked down, so that they are exactly as they were before, and to alter the course between rounds and classes.

   Evaluating The Class

1. Watch every horse go round the course.

2. Keep track of the fences that come down.

3. See where the 'four faulters' had trouble.

4. Look for balanced results.

Distance Tests

Course Plans

Round Up

If the course designer hopes to build a good course, worthy of the competitors and the horses which will jump it, he must have sufficient time to do it without haste or disturbance.

Don't commit yourself to your prepared plan and then fail to change it if necessary - 'importance of the right course being that in the ring, not that on paper'

The ground and its layout must play a basic part in the Course Designer's plans.  The going, dimensions and shape of the arena, the position of the jury box, the stands and the entrance to the ring all must be considered.

The courses must be planned to use the size and shape of the ring to the greatest possible advantage.  The spectators must be able to look out on a pleasant setting and a ring where the various obstacles are arranged in a balanced manner.