The Vermont Summer Festival : Combining the Passion of Sport with the Beauty of Horses
Equestrian events have a unique place in sporting history – they are the only events where humans are teamed with animals , and it is also one of the only Olympic sports that allows men and women to compete against each other as absolute equals . Few sights are as exciting as horse and rider in perfect harmony , riding for the glory of their country . Whether it is the thrill of cross-country , the bravado of show jumping , or the elegance of dressage , the Olympic equestrian disciplines offer horsemanship and athleticism at the highest levels .
Show Jumping , which can be seen at the Vermont Summer Festival , is made up of three disciplines : Jumper , Hunter and Equitation , all of which test different aspects of skill from horse and rider , from speed and athletic prowess like downhill skiing , to beautiful smooth-flowing artistry like figure skating . Riders often show in all three disciplines , but may specialize in one or two , while horses are normally more suited to just one discipline .
“ Jumper ” competition reaches the pinnacle of Olympic equestrian sports in more ways than one , as horse and rider engage in a complex battle with a course of obstacles ( called jumps or fences ) ranging in height from 4 ’ 6 ” to 5 ’ 6 ” and in width from 5 ’ to 7 ’. Challenged by the size , sequence , and design of the course ( no two courses are ever the same ), as well as the composition of the jumps , riders must navigate the course within a time allowed reaching speeds of 13-15 mph . Most importantly , horse and rider combinations must clear all of the obstacles in order to move on to the jump-off .
At the conclusion of the first round , those horses tied for first place with clear rounds will return for a jump-off against the clock . In the jump-off , the horse and rider with the fewest faults and the fastest time claims victory . Skill , stamina , fitness , and concentration are just a few of the adjectives needed to describe the tremendous abilities of these premiere athletes . The horse / rider combination is a team unto itself , with the ultimate goal of jumping each obstacle cleanly and beating the clock . Neither breed nor size nor sex nor beauty is given any consideration . Manners and style count for nothing . The technical accuracy on the part of the rider and the absolute obedience and execution on the part of the horse are everything . Throw in a little luck and you have the heart-pounding excitement of show jumping at its greatest .
In addition to Show Jumping , the beautiful artistry of “ hunter ” competition takes center stage at the Vermont Summer Festival . According to the United States Hunter Jumper Association ( USHJA ), the origin of the show ring hunter can be found in the sport of fox-hunting , where horse and rider galloped over miles of countryside with varying terrain navigating natural obstacles ( fences , hedges , stone walls ) encountered along the way while in the pursuit of the game . Modern hunter classes were designed to test the qualities and attributes of a successful hunt horse . These classes are subjectively judged based on the horse ’ s performance over fences as well as its quality of movement under saddle on the flat . Show hunters should possess good style over the jumps , consistent pace throughout the course , as well as quiet manners . Hunter rounds should appear smooth and effortless to the spectator with the horse and rider working together to make the course flow from one jump to the next . Hunter courses typically consist of eight to
10 jumps that are more organic in form and generally lower in height than fences used in show jumping classes , from 2 ’ to 4 ’ in height depending on the experience and skill level of the horse and / or rider .
The final style of competition that you will see at the Vermont Summer Festival is “ Equitation ”. This division is more generally available to junior athletes , who are often vying for valuable points to qualify for prestigious year-end championships . Recently , shows have begun offering year-end finals for adults who enjoy equitation as well , but adults and juniors do not compete against one another in this division , as they sometimes do in the hunter and show jumping rings . Fences will range in height from 2 ’ -3 ’ 6 , depending on the skill level of the rider
As stated by the USHJA , equitation classes are judged on the rider ’ s ability , form , and skill to allow the horse to perform at its best , but the horse itself is not judged at all . The types of jumps and elements that make up an equitation course can resemble those used in either hunter or jumper classes , but the judging is subjectively based on the rider ’ s position , style , proficiency , accuracy , use of the aids ( hands , seat and legs ), as well as an overall impression of complete and quiet control .
Creating a winning partnership with their horse is something that riders often work for over many years to accomplish . They use horse shows , such as the Vermont Summer Festival , to showcase their hard work in front of their peers , while enjoying the excitement of competition . The rings in Vermont will be filled each week with athletes competing at the top level of the sport , while also enjoying the relationships they have made with their horses and competitors .
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