hunter---jumper

[hunter---jumper]

[hunter---jumper]

[hunter---jumper]

Always starving

[hunter---jumper]

A DANGEROUS SPORT

Let me start by saying that neither horse or rider was injured in this sequence and that the rider has given me permission to post these photos, or I would never be showing them to you.

This is a dangerous sport! When you watch show jumping its very exciting. Powerful strides carrying horse and rider over each daunting jump after another and they make it look so easy. But the sport of show jumping also comes with a lot of risk.

It takes years of training and practice just to begin to be good at it. A love and passion for horses that cannot be compared to other sports and as you and your horse get better, you keep going for higher and higher jumps, knowing that a split second of indecision can change a graceful leap into a disaster, usually with the rider taking the brunt of the consequences.

Is it worth it? Ask any rider and with a giant smile the answer is always ‘yes’.

So the next time you’re watching a jumping event, remember “do not try this at home, these people are professionals.”

[hunter---jumper]

My boy is so fancy

[hunter---jumper]

Eric Lamaze riding Check Picobello Z Photo (c) Noelle Floyd

[hunter---jumper]

When you're about to get on a super-fresh youngster who hasn't been ridden in a few weeks

[hunter---jumper]

[x]

[hunter---jumper]

Horse Terms for Non-Horsey People

Green: A horse that doesn't know shit. A kid horse. A lil punk horse.

Bridle: The head thing for riding.

Halter: The head thing for leading.

Lead rope: Horse leash.

Pony: A shorter, stockier equine. NOT a baby horse. Sometimes also used as a term of endearment towards larger horses.

Dressage: Fancy-ass horse dance.

Lunging: Making the horse go in circles around you on a long line, sometimes with another person on its back. Good way to teach Green horses the basics and a good way to start new riders.

Stirrup: Where your foot goes when you get on.

Girth: Horse belt.

Boots and Polo Wraps: Thingies that go on the horse's legs to protect them. NOT casts.

Fly Mask: NOT A BLINDFOLD

Schoolie: A horse that will teach you what's what and also possibly kill you. Usually ornery pieces of shit but also indispensable and amazing.

Paint: cow horse.

Warmblood: Large, fancy, lovable-weirdo-type horse.

Mare: Female horse. Probably thinking about the easiest way to make you cower in fear right now.

Gelding: Castrated male horse. Probably fearfully eyeing the mare.

Stallion: Un-castrated male horse. Probably eyeing the mare with a mixture of fear and lust.

Nicker: A grunting noise a horse makes when it's "happy to see you" (read: looking for treats).

[hunter---jumper]

me when horseback riding lessons start back up again ^.^

[hunter---jumper]

Marion Coakes & Stroller (14.2hh)

This enormous oxer is far bigger than little Stroller and like everything in is his life, he tackled it with no effort. Obviously, as he took on this whole enormous course, one of the biggest ever built in an Olympic Show Jumping event, he proudly brought home the Olympic Silver Medal.

[hunter---jumper]

Beezie Madden and Cortes C, WEG 2014.

Yeah… So I think you’ve got a good foot there, C.

Source: Noelle Floyd

[hunter---jumper]

[hunter---jumper]

white princess

[hunter---jumper]

Nicola Philippaerts & Casana at the Gothenburg HorseShow. <3 

[hunter---jumper]

Catching Air

Graphite, A4

[hunter---jumper]

HunterChampion68