Surveying the Scene By Charlene Strickland
After the warmup and before the start bell, a jumper rider enters the arena with time to survey the course. The official countdown is 45 seconds, but riders often “preload” by entering the arena while the previous horse is still on course. Those seconds, which might add up to 90 seconds
in all, can be very valuable as it allows horse and rider to preview the obstacles. Do competitors use this time—called touring—wisely? Is there a strat- egy involved? We consulted two experts on how they maximize this time before galloping through the start timers.
Time to Look Around In both show jumping and eventing, riders walk the course after the jumps are set. Besides placement of obstacles, analyzing the course also involves the arena size, condition of footing, and weather in an outdoor arena. Julie Winkel is a USEF “R” judge and owner of Maple-
wood Stables in Reno, Nevada. Currently she is co-chair of the USEF Licensed Officials Commit- tee. “I respect someone who takes a tour of the ring and familiarizes the horse with what is expected,” she says. “They have to be mind- ful of the countdown clock. If it’s a big arena, and the jumps are far apart, it would be smart on the rider’s part to preload. If not, canter down there and get to the other end as quick as possible. It’s great from a horse’s perspec- tive, so the horse gets a moment to breathe and look around before the round gets going.” Grand prix rider Jeff Campf from OZ, Inc., based in Canby,
Oregon, has his own strategy. “For me personally, with the 45-second clock, I like to get my horse into the arena early
All photos by Charlene Strickland
Hanna Mauritzson trotting Parkmore Lux, Irish Sport Horse (Lux x Coolcorran Cool Diamond) at the National Sunshine II show in November 2016, Thermal, California.
and spend as much time as I can before I start jumping. I get their mind on the task at hand. I like to get into the arena as far ahead as I can when they blow that horn. I get them relaxed, comfortable, maybe do a little flat work, such as trot and halt. I want him to be with me,” Jeff says. Knowing your horse gives you a chance to set the scene
for a clear round. “It totally depends on what horse you are riding,” says grand prix rider Hanna Mauritzson. Originally from Sweden, she trains at Swede Equine in San Marcos, Cali- fornia. Hanna aims to give a young horse ample time to look around. “Maybe we go to the back of the arena so they have seen all jumps. Or I might show them a special jump.” When riding a youngster, she tries to ask the officials if she can go first, to spend more time in the arena. “Get the horse nice and relaxed. Look for something you need to show them, so they’re not surprised coming around a corner,” she says. “I’m a big fan of using the preload. I take that time to show them around a little bit.” Preloading also helps the show officials, as having the next horse in the ring keeps a class moving. When riding an older, experienced horse, Hanna advises,
USEF “R” judge Julie Winkel instructing riders at a clinic.
“Come in relaxed. Take the time going to the first jump. Sometimes do a few transitions so you know the horse is with you.” Every moment in a busy venue allows the horse to view
distractions near the arena, such as spectators right by the rail, flags or a video screen. Jeff describes how he’ll pick something in the arena. “lt can be a tight rollback turn, water jump, shadows—whatever might be a situation on the course that might take a little
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