Counting Strides in Jumping

Math is involved at a fast pace when jumping a horse. An average a horse’s stride is 12 feet long, and a rider must figure out during the approach to a jump how to influence the horse’s stride to make the distance to the jump perfect. Do you need to lengthen or shorten your horse’s stride, or is it already right on?

Have you ever watched a show jumping competition? Before the class, all the competitors have a chance to walk the course. This gives them time to plan and memorize the route they will take – and to do some math.

The riders count their steps, each step equaling 3 feet or .9 m, and from that they calculate how many strides their horse will take between jumps and the angles they will ride to approach each jump.

1. How many human strides equal 1 horse stride?

When you are young, your own stride may be shorter than 3 feet. Say you’ve measured your stride and found it to be 2 feet.

2. How many of your strides would equal 1 horse stride?

3. Would you expect the average stride length of a pony to be the same as the average stride length of a horse? If not, do you think it would be shorter or longer?

Here is a video showing the basics on walking a show jumping course:

1. How many human strides equal 1 horse stride?
Answer: 12 ÷ 3 = 4. 4 Human strides equal 1 horse stride.

2. How many of your strides would equal 1 horse stride?
Answer: 12 ÷ 2 = 6. 6 of your strides would equal 1 horse stride.

3. Would you expect the average stride length of a pony to be the same as the average stride length of a horse? If not, do you think it would be shorter or longer?
Answer: Pony’s strides are shorter than horse’s strides because their legs are shorter.

Photo: YouTube