Show Jumping Distances
Cheat Sheet
Keep in mind that these distances are guidelines for training purposes. The actual distances ultimately depend on your horse’s stride length as well as on factors such as weather and the surface you’re riding on. Remember that as fences get higher, the distances will need to be adjusted accordingly, too.
DISTANCE BETWEEN TROTTING POLES
Horses 1.10 – 1.30 m
14’2 / 148 cm ponies 1.00 – 1.10 m
13’2 / 138 cm ponies 0.90 – 1.00 m
12’2 / 128 cm ponies 0.80 – 0.90 m
For raised trotting poles, it’s best to reduce the distance by at least 10 cm.
DISTANCE FROM TROTTING POLE TO SMALL FENCE
Horses 2.20 – 2.50 m
14’2 / 148 cm ponies 2.10 – 2.40 m
13’2 / 138 cm ponies 2.00 – 2.20 m
12’2 / 128 cm ponies 1.80 – 2.00 m
DISTANCE FROM CANTER POLE TO FENCE
Horses 2.80 – 3.50 m
14’2 / 148 cm ponies 2.70 – 3.10 m
13’2 / 138 cm ponies 2.40 – 2.90 m
12’2 / 128 cm ponies 2.10 – 2.50 m
For canter poles between two fences, it’s best to place the first canter pole about 3.5 m after the initial fence for horses.
Recommended distances for practice
These are standard recommended distances between any two fences that you approach in canter. If the fences are smaller than approx. 1 m and you are riding a large horse, you may have to reduce the distances.
1 STRIDE
Horses 6.00 – 7.00 m
14’2 / 148 cm ponies 5.90 – 6.90 m
13’2 / 138 cm ponies 5.70 – 6.40 m
12’2 / 128 cm ponies 5.20 – 5.80 m
2 STRIDES
Horses 9.50 – 10.20 m
14’2 / 148 cm ponies 9.40 – 10.00 m
13’2 / 138 cm ponies 8.60 – 9.20 m
12’2 / 128 cm ponies 7.70 – 8.20 m
3 STRIDES
Horses 13.50 – 15.00 m
14’2 / 148 cm ponies 12.50 – 14.00 m
13’2 / 138 cm ponies 11.50 – 13.00 m
12’2 / 128 cm ponies 10.50 – 12.00 m
4 STRIDES
Horses 17.00 – 18.50 m
14’2 / 148 cm ponies 15.70 – 17.00 m
13’2 / 138 cm ponies 14.50 – 16.00 m
12’2 / 128 cm ponies 13.00 – 14.50 m
5 STRIDES
Horses 20.50 – 22.5 m
14’2 / 148 cm ponies 19.00 – 20.50 m
13’2 / 138 cm ponies 17.50 – 19.00 m
12’2 / 128 cm ponies 15.70 – 17.50 m
6 STRIDES
Horses 23.50 – 26.00 m
14’2 / 148 cm ponies 22.00 – 23.50 m
13’2 / 138 cm ponies 20.00 – 22.00 m
12’2 / 128 cm ponies 19.00 – 20.50 m
7 STRIDES
Horses 27.00 – 30.00 m
14’2 / 148 cm ponies 25.00 – 27.00 m
13’2 / 138 cm ponies 23.00 – 25.00 m
12’2 / 128 cm ponies 21.00 – 23.00 m