What is the horse size tall for jumping?

Question

What is the horse size tall for jumping?

Answer 1

I'm not sure I understand the question you are asking, but I've seen horses in excess of 17 hh in competition, several over 18 hh as well.  But bigger doesn't always mean better, often bigger horses can't make the rollbacks a small horse can and they need more time to 'set up' for a fence, making it harder to jump at an angle and forcing a rider to take a longer option to a fence.  The most successful horse I ever rode in jumpers was a 14.1 hh pony.  That was before seperate pony jumper classes.  4 ft was no obstacle at all and he would happily take a jump at a 45 degree angle.  But riding a small horse means adjusting your style as well, two point to a fence can impede a smaller horse's launch, and sitting down in the saddle too early over the fence can cause them to catch a rail with a hind foot.  I always ended up riding much more upright on smaller horses and staying in my jumping posture for a stride after the fence.  On bigger horses I was almost always in two point the entire course, hustling them along to make up the lost time a longer route cost me.  I've found that on average a 15 hh horse is an excellent jumper candidate for up to 4 ft, provided he is sound enough to handle the heavy forces applied to his legs.  Above 4 ft I am wary to ask a smaller horse unless I know they have the talent and ability.

Answer 2

Size is subjective.  Depends on rider and size of jumps.  Efficient 15 hands can effectively compete with taller 16 and 17 hand jumpers.

Rider fit is probably the most important aspect of the equation.

Answer 3

Everyone is saying about the horse

what about how tall is the jumps ?

If you want to be jumping 4 to what ever  A horse around 16 on up will do,, how much jumping will you be doing ? E,T,C

JUST FOR fun and games a horse or pony can jump well some horses have a limit them selves Some might be 16,3 and cant not jump higher then 3 foot

all depends on so much jumping you will be doing

But on a average for the bigger fences horses around 16. hands on up