As a show jumping coach, one of the most common questions I receive from riders is how to consistently see the correct distance to a jump. Seeing strides and distances is a crucial skill for any horse jumping rider, but it's also one that can be challenging to master.
Understanding the Importance of Seeing Distances
If you can't see your distances (let's say at a 90% rate) at the 2'3 level, you are not ready for the 2'6. If you can't see it at the 1 meter, hold off on moving to 1.10. This is where a lot of amateurs go wrong. They typically have a horse that's capable of doing bigger than what they are jumping them, often importing warmbloods from Europe that are already jumping 1.30-140's just to compete them in the 80 cm classes at home. They rely heavily on the horse doing the "hard work" for them, hoping that if they don't see the distance, it doesn't matter because their horse will.
This is not the right attitude to have. We cannot call ourselves horse riders and then be a passenger on their backs, letting our horses float around courses making all the decisions for us. That is not how you build a partnership. That is not what being a team looks like. Your horse knows it, you know it, and everyone watching knows it. You aren't fooling anyone, so it's time to stop.
Developing Your "Eye" for Distances
Seeing strides and distances is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Even the best riders in the world, the ones we consider the "lucky" ones, aren't just lucky. The reason they are the best is because of their ability to increase the percentage that they jump clear in the first round, and seeing distances is a huge part of that.
The faster and better you can judge your distances to the jumps, the more likely you and your horse will jump it clear. Here are a few things to know about mastering the art of seeing strides:
- Distances change as the jumps get bigger. In order for a horse to jump a higher fence, they need to jump further away in order to create the bascule (the highest point of the horse's arc over a jump) over the correct spot.
- Developing your "eye" for distances takes time and practice. You need to constantly be working on it, whether you're in the saddle or on the ground. Visualize the distances, practice on the ground, and pay close attention to how your horse's stride changes as the jumps get bigger.
- Every horse is different. The way one horse takes off and jumps a fence may be different from another. Pay attention to the nuances of your individual horse and how they approach each jump.
- Course designers are trying to trick you. They are purposefully making the distances not easy to achieve, aiming for a 10-20% clear round rate. The better you can see the distances, the more likely you are to be in that top percentage.
Mastering the art of seeing distances is a never-ending journey, but it's one that is essential for any serious show jumping rider. With dedication, practice, and a keen eye, you can develop this crucial skill and take your riding to the next level.
Looking for more tips on how to see distances? Order our book: Show Jumping Guide to Seeing Distances for a step-by-step 28 day training plan designed to help you see results, fast!
Conclusion
Seeing distances is a complex skill that takes time and practice to develop, but it's one that is essential for any serious show jumping rider. By understanding the importance of this skill, and by consistently working to improve your "eye" for distances, you can increase your chances of jumping clear rounds and taking your riding to new heights. So don't be discouraged - keep practicing, keep learning, and keep pushing yourself to become the best rider you can be.
