By Elizabeth McQuillan
This Saturday, 2 April, sees the first of a series of events hosted by Scottish Equestrian Centre at Gleneagles, showcasing a growing form of arena event which looks likely to gallop into the mainstream.
SportJumping is a hybrid cross that takes the accuracy of showjumping and splices it with the pace of racing, resulting in an altogether more exciting arena sport than the public is traditionally accustomed to. Add to the mix a bookie and a handicapping system, and it looks like an interesting proposition.
With the introduction of a gambling element comes the promise of good prize money – in riding classes an amateur rider would expect to win very little – and the sport is attracting a wide spectrum of riders wishing to compete against one another. A top prize for a SportJumping class might reach £1,000.
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Classes are kept to a manageable 25 riders, with top riders aiming for a pop at the cash prizes – but their efforts could easily be thwarted by a random elderly soak on his old hunter. In fact, the old-timer, or a goofy teenaged first-timer on their family steed, has a good chance of stealing the prize from under the noses of the seasoned professionals. This is down to a time-handicapping system that ensures a more level playing-field. Once the horse-and-rider combination enter a height class they are comfortable with – the Amateur Jockey class starts at 85cm, followed by the one-metre Hurdle and then the 1.15m Handicap chase – the order of going and handicap will be published in advance of the event. Issued on verifiable previous form, this is really down to the honesty of the riders themselves. For top Scottish riders such as Sarra Mayberry, the form will be well known and recorded through official equestrian bodies. Form might prove a little trickier to establish with amateur riders, however. Expect the odd stooshie ringside when a rider tells fibs about their ability. Bill Alexander came up with the concept for the sport, and is working hard to establish it as a great event for riders, horses and spectators alike. “SportJump is what I would term a ‘technical speed class’," Alexander said, "and the aim is to have a sport that is both exciting and safe. Riders much prove their ability to jump safely at the specified height at qualifying events, and we record a video on the day so we can assess and keep a record of the rider’s form. "The rules and handicapping system have been thoroughly thought through – and are subject to worldwide copyright – to encourage accuracy rather than speed, and to promote quality, responsible riding.” Certainly the guidelines and rules are thorough, and SportJumping has a very strict policy on the use of horse whips, which is to be admired and hopefully followed in other equestrian disciplines. In the future, the plan is that all riders will have a video archive so that their form can be assessed. Allocated to all but the first competitor in each class, the time handicap will increase with each rider – so the last to go has the highest time penalties before they start. This means that the favourite rides last, which adds to the excitement for the spectators. Riders must all ride in the published order, and time penalties are issued with every pole that is knocked down, with the first pole crediting you one extra second and the fifth pole five seconds – and disqualification thereafter. This is to encourage accuracy as opposed to breakneck speed. The sport is attracting a new crowd, many with a racing interest, and is popular with spectators due to the added buzz that betting provides. This isn’t, however, a day at the dog track – SportJumping is designed to be a fun, inclusive event for the competitors and families watching ringside. “Our format is set up to have betting in a family friendly environment," says Alexander. "So we produce a form guide on our website to cater for the betting public.” Visitors are welcome to come along to this Saturday's opening event at Gleneagles and have a flutter, or just watch the proceedings – and there is always the bar for some liquid refreshment. A glitzy finale is planned for October, with riders in racing silks and big prizes anticipated. Perhaps it’s time for me to saddle-soap my hibernating jumping saddle – or maybe just go and put on a bet instead.Donate to us: support independent, intelligent, in-depth Scottish journalism from just 3p a day
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