If you’re thinking about competing in Hunter Jumper A and B rated shows, you’ll want to do everything you can to be fully prepared. Not only do you need to be prepared, but so does your horse, and that means exposing him to as many jumps as possible. There is nothing worse than walking into the show ring and your horse refusing on the first jump. Even if you don’t have a very creepy horse, it’s a good idea to expose him to a wide range of jumps so you both know what to expect. Here are some things you should add to your training camp.

Liverpool

It is incredibly important to have a Liverpool at home if you plan to compete in high level show jumping or equestrian. Even the most solid horses tend to stare at waterfalls. A good alternative to water is to have a blue tarp that you can spread out under the jump.

brick wall

Brick walls are actually wooden boxes painted to look like bricks. Bright colors and solid features can sometimes scare horses.

rollable

Roll tops are made from wood and can be found painted in a range of colours. However, horse shows usually have roll-up covers covered with green artificial turf.

flower boxes and brushes

You should have many boxes of flowers and brushes with a variety of different colored artificial flowers for each box.

Planks and Doors

Planks and gates are great for completing jumps and creating a different look for each obstacle. Make sure they are varied in both color and design.

Once you have all these extra jumps, remember to change them regularly. You want your horse to see new jumps all the time, so by changing boxes, rearranging the course, and adding new blooms, you’re giving yourself the best chance of getting it right once you hit the show arena. On a final note, remember to practice jumping over very simple white fences too, sometimes those are the creepiest!