Here is a handy cheat sheet that gives you recommended distances between obstacles and barriers, adapted for both horses and ponies.
Please note:
- The horse's size and gait can affect the distance, so feel free to adjust according to how your horse reacts.
- Reduce the distance for smaller obstacles and increase it for higher obstacles, especially when riding at a higher pace or gallop.
Remember that these distances are guidelines, and it is important to adjust according to both the horse's skills and your own comfort.
Distance between trotting booms
Horses 1.10 – 1.30 m
Cat 1 ponies 1.00 – 1.10 m
Cat 2 ponies 0.90 – 1.00 m
Cat 3 ponies 0.80 – 0.90 m
For raised trotting booms, it is best to reduce the distance by at least 10 cm.
Distance from trot boom to small obstacle
Horses 2.20 – 2.50 m
Cat 1 ponies 2.10 – 2.40 m
Cat 2 ponies 2.00 – 2.20 m
Cat 3 ponies 1.80 – 2.00 m
Distance from gallop barrier to obstacle
Horses 2.80 – 3.50 m
Cat 1 ponies 2.70 – 3.10 m
Cat 2 ponies 2.40 – 2.90 m
Cat 3 ponies 2.10 – 2.50 m
For gallop barriers between two obstacles, it is best to place the first gallop barrier approximately 3.5 m after the first obstacle.
Recommended Distances for Jumping Training
When training on the show jumping course, it is important to have the correct distances between the obstacles to ensure a good and safe performance. Here are some standard recommendations for distances between two obstacles when approaching at a short canter:
1 step
Horses 7.2 – 7.8 m
Cat 1 ponies 6.80 – 7.10 m
Cat 2 ponies 6.50 – 6.70 m
Cat 3 ponies 6.20 – 6.40 m
2 steps
Horses 9.50 – 10.20 m
cat 1 ponies 9.90 – 10.10 m
Cat 2 ponies 9.40 – 9.50 m
Cat 3 ponies 8.700 – 8.90 m
3 steps
Horses 14.00 – 15.00 m
Cat 1 ponies 13.00 – 14.00 m
Cat 2 ponies 12.00 – 13.00 m
Cat 3 ponies 11.00 – 12.00 m
4 steps
Horses 17.50 – 18.50 m
Cat 1 ponies 16.25 – 17.25 m
Cat 2 ponies 15.00 – 16.00 m
Cat 3 ponies 13.75 – 14.75 m
5 steps
Horses 21.50 – 22.50 m
Cat 1 ponies 19.50 – 20.50 m
Cat 2 ponies 18.00 – 19.00 m
Cat 3 ponies 16.50 – 17.50 m
6 steps
Horses 24.50 – 26.00 m
Cat 1 ponies 22.00 – 23.50 m
Cat 2 ponies 20.00 – 22.00 m
cat 3 ponies 19.00 – 20.50 m
7 steps
Horses 27.00 – 30.00 m
Cat 1 ponies 26.00 – 27.00 m
Cat 2 ponies 24.00 – 25.00 m
Cat 3 ponies 22.00 – 23.00 m
