Modern pentathlon show jumping?

Question

I don't know much about show jumping, but watching the Modern Pentathlon at the Olympics yesterday I was surprised to see that for that part of the event the competitors are just given a random horse from a group selected for the competition. Now I know this sort of fits with the history of the event (a soldier delivering a message having to run, shoot, swim, swordfight and ride) but it just seems a bit unfair to me, to the horses and the competitors, especially after watching the subsequent refusals at jumps, riders getting thrown etc. Am I being naive here and any good rider should be able to get on any horse and enter a show jumping event without too much trouble? I'd be interested to hear.

Answer 1

many pentathletes aren't the best riders because they have to work on many other things aka shooting, running swimming etc.

Answer 2

Whilst horses certainly form a good relationship and trust with their own owners and riders - a good rider should be able to get any horse to do something for them.

In fact most experienced riders make a point of trying out other horses to ensure that they do not get accustomed to one horse and that that horses only.

Hope this clears it up for ya!

xx

Answer 3

yes if you are a good rider you should be able to ride anything your given.

Thats why at your riding school you should never just ride the same horse or pony. this wont make a real rider out of you

Answer 4

People fall, off, horses stop. Remember, horses can do whatever they want. They don't have to go over a jump for a complete stranger. Most Olympic show horses are ridden only by their rider, not by random people. It is different for the horse, but it is hard for both horse and rider to be dealing with a new situation. But they don't get to practice or anything they just have to go in and do it. The horse will feel completely different than what they're used to. Whenever I get on a new horse I count my way in before I jump, and on a new horse it's different every time and it's not always easy so accidents happen.