“European Warmblood breeders and trainers have used
this technique for generations and regularly free jump their young horses, especially stallion prospects.”
inherent jumping abilities to the breeder, owner or trainer. Jumping power and technique are evident at the earliest stages of training and generally do not improve or change much over time. The information provided in free jumping scores during mare performance tests and stallion licensing and stallion tests is also extremely important for breed societies to provide back to breeders in order to help them make more informed breeding decisions. Studies done in Germany show that jumping ability is one of the most strongly inherited characteristics in horses. This information and other data is incor-
A well-designed jumping chute.
porated into an animal breeding model that give information as to a sire’s ability to pass on not just jumping ability but also dressage ability, correctness of gaits and correctness of conformation, etc. The result for serious breeders of top
level Warmblood show jumpers will be to help in producing naturally better jumping horses with the correct technique and the required power for top level show jumping. Also, by carefully observing the young jumper in the chute, breeders and trainers gain valuable information about the horse’s attitude and ultimate jumping ability. A more detailed article on training
and information on the jumping chute set-up and rules for free jumping competition can be found online at
hanoverianbreedersclub.com.
WT
Training a horse in the chute for the first time.
confidence and gains balance during the exercise, the jump height and width can be raised and the horse will develop its musculature and power. There are two more reasons why free jumping is important. It provides information about the horse’s
64 March/April 2010
Michael Boyd is a breeder of Hanoverian show jumpers and is chairman of the
Canadian Hanoverian Society and Chairman of the North American Hanoverian Jumper Breeding Program.
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