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The open water is one of show jumping’s most recognizable obstacles, and one many riders may never encounter themselves. Even among competitive jumpers, opportunities to practice it can be limited. Yet at major championships, Nations Cups, and certain upper-level competitions, horse and rider may suddenly be expected to confidently tackle a question they rarely see.
For FEI Level 4 Course Designer Guilherme Jorge, that makes thoughtful preparation particularly important. “The water jump is a very traditional test,” Jorge said on episode 480 of The Plaidcast. “It’s a very important part of our sport because of the tradition.”
But the water itself isn’t necessarily the most interesting part of the question. Often, what happens afterward is.
The Water Jump Has Changed
Like many aspects of show jumping, the dimensions of the open water have evolved. Jorge explained that Olympic water jumps decades ago could stretch approximately 5.5 meters, or around 18 feet. Today, four meters, a little more than 13 feet, is more typical.
He also noted that the stride of a modern horse is commonly around 13 to 14 feet. “So basically, we are asking the horse to do a little bit bigger step when they jump the water jump,” Jorge said.
Still, no two horses tackle it exactly alike. Some horses jump only as far as they need to. Others make a much bigger effort. Some need additional encouragement and momentum on approach.
“The rider really needs to know how his horse reacts to the water jump,” Jorge said. A horse that needs more encouragement may require more momentum and speed on approach. According to Jorge, that can make the questions that come afterward more difficult.
For that reason, he generally likes to give riders a relatively free approach to the water. The goal is to allow riders to arrive in the way that best suits their horse and give the horse a good chance of clearing the obstacle.
“The idea is that most of them jump the water clear,” Jorge said. Then comes the next question. Once the horse lands, the course designer can ask the rider to regain control and adjust.
“We’re going to test how the rider can control the horse after the water more than the water itself,” Jorge said.
In the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix, competitors landed from the water and had seven strides to a tall, delicate skinny vertical. Four strides later came a double combination built with solid gray, 10-foot poles. The sequence required the horse to change quickly from the effort over the water to a more careful and precise question.
A horse that jumped the water without too much effort made it easier for the rider to regain control and adjust the strides afterward. A horse that required more encouragement or made a larger effort could make that next part of the course more difficult. That is why the water cannot be viewed as an isolated obstacle. The way the horse jumps it directly affects the rider’s ability to answer what comes next.
Jorge emphasized that horses react differently to the open water, which makes experience valuable. An experienced horse that jumps the water comfortably can make it easier for the rider to regain control after landing.
A horse that needs more encouragement may require a stronger approach, creating a different situation for the rider on the landing side. That individuality is one reason Jorge believes riders should have opportunities to practice the obstacle before encountering it in an important competition.
Practice is Important
The challenge, Jorge believes, is that the water jump is being used less often. “It’s unfortunately been used less and less,” he said.
That can create a problem because horses and riders have fewer opportunities to make the water feel like a normal part of their education. When Jorge plans to use the open water in a Grand Prix, he tries to offer it on previous days of competition with a rail over it. He also likes to place it in the same location where horses will see it during the Grand Prix.
That gives combinations an opportunity to practice before the biggest class. At Wellington, designated Tuesday schooling sessions also offer water jumps in one or sometimes two rings, giving riders another opportunity for exposure. Jorge also pointed to the USEF Talent Search program, where the water jump can be included at lower levels and is mandatory at the three-star level.
Keeping a Traditional Skill Relevant
The open water jump connects the modern sport to its roots. Jorge explained that show jumping evolved from the types of obstacles horses and riders might encounter while hunting or working in the field.
When the water is properly constructed and presented, Jorge sees it as an opportunity to maintain that connection. It asks riders to know how their horses will respond. It requires them to choose the right approach. And once the horse lands, it often asks them to quickly regain control for the next part of the course.
To hear the full conversation with Guilherme Jorge, listen to episode 480 of The Plaidcast. Subscribe and follow The Plaidcast on your favorite podcast platform for more conversations from throughout our industry.
