Distances for Jumping Exercises
These distances are guidelines for training purposes. Its better to make them too long than
too short and they are for normal length strides rather than shortened or lengthened ones.
It’s important to train your eye as distance charts are no substitution for being able to see
what is actually happening. Remember that as the fences are raised; the distances will
need to be adjusted accordingly.
Distances in training depend on:
•
•
•
•
The size of the fences
The horse’s length of stride
The education of the horse
The rider’s ability to establish a good canter
All Distances are for Horses 15.2h
and over
BETWEEN POLES
Approaching in trot
Trotting poles
Place pole in front of fence
Place pole after fence
Approaching in Canter
Canter poles
Place pole in front of fence
Place pole after fence (1)
BETWEEN FENCES
Approaching in Canter
One stride
Two strides
Three strides
Four strides
Five strides
BETWEEN BOUNCE FENCES
Bounce
Paces
Feet
Metres
Min
Max
Min
Max
Min
1⅓
1⅓-2
3
3⅓
3⅓
4
5' 6"
9
10
10
1.2
1.7
2.7
3
3
Max
Min
Min
Max
Min
Max
3
3⅔
3⅓
3⅔
3⅓
3⅔
9
11
10
11
10
11
2.7
3.4
3
3.4
3
3.4
Min
Max
Min
Max
Min
Max
Min
Max
Min
Max
7
8-8⅔
11
12
15
16
19
20
22
24
21
24.5
33
36
45
48
57
60
66
72
6.4
7.5
10
11
13.7
14.6
17.4
18.3
20.1
22
Min
Max
3½
4
10
12
3
3.7
1) Do not place a pole after a fence for novice horse or rider.
2) If you approach in trot the distance between the first and second fence may need to be
shortened by up to 3 feet.