Stadium JumpingStadium Jumping is a competition where horse and rider negotiate a course of hurdles within a show ring. Amber sat on Star of India, her sorrel Thoroughbred mare, with her right leg crossed over the saddle in front of her. Indy stood head down with ears drooping while Amber visited with friends. Their relaxed demeanor belied the intensely competitive nature of this pair. Indy’s demeanor changed at the sound of hoof beats trotting towards them. Instantly aware of a change in her mare, Amber turned her attention to her. She swung her right leg into position and sat securely in the saddle. “You and Winter Storm looked good out there.” Amber commented to the rider as he left the ring and entered the holding pen on his cremello quarter horse mare. “Thanks. Good luck to you, not that you and Indy need it.” The boy smiled easily as he passed by. A nod from the gatekeeper and Amber instantly switched to competition mode. Indy sensed the change in Amber. Ears pricked, head held high, neck arched she looked like a different mare. With six jumps packed into a show ring this event calls for the agility to change directions quickly, as well as the strength for jumps and the speed of a timed event. Course memorized, Amber cantered Indy toward a combination. A rail jump then one stride and a second rail jump. As Indy’s hind legs touched the ground after the second rail, Amber straightened slightly, head turned toward the next jump. Indy turned left following Amber’s shift in weight. The next jump a high double. Indy tucked her front legs neatly as her hind legs propelled her upwards and over, and then tucked against her body. Clearing the jump, her front legs straightened reaching for the ground. A brush jump was quickly dispatched. Ahead lay the most treacherous part of the course, a reversal of direction and then a triple rail. Amber cued Indy for a flying change of lead and then threw her heart over the jump ahead. Indy executed a perfect flying change of lead as she rounded the corner at a canter. Three strides ahead lay the jump. At Amber’s cues she collected her strides and lifted off, her timing perfect. As Indy landed, Amber’s hand opened, giving her one quick stroke on the neck. “Good girl” she said. Indy flicked her ears at the beloved sound of Amber’s voice. Then the team was back to concentrating on the next jump, a gate. Indy’s stride had lengthened too much to suit Amber; she straightened slightly allowing resistance to travel down the reins to Indy’s mouth. Indy flicked her braided tail in annoyance, but collected her canter in time to fly over the gate. They now approached the in and out from the opposite direction. Indy landed to the sound of applause. Amber smiled and nodded her thanks to the spectators. She stopped Indy in the holding pen and hugged her neck. “You big beautiful girl” she said.
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