Course Design and the Essential Home Course: Peter Holmes

At the moment, he predominantly works at Spruce Meadows and Thunderbird Show Park, which are located closer to his Cowichan Bay, BC, home. His start in course design was born of necessity; in his late teens while competing and coaching at horse shows, he was often called upon to load and unload the jump trailer and help set up the course. After years of juggling professions, he decided to focus solely on course design in the mid-90’s.

There is often a misconception that course designers are “out to get you” with tricky tracks and scary fences. Holmes considers it an important aspect of his job to make the courses appropriate to the level of competitors. “No matter the division or height, each course needs to have achievable challenges, as no one likes to see horses or riders over-faced,” he says. “Commonly, I will start with an easier first fence and introduce the combinations no earlier than the fourth fence, as this allows the horses time to get going forward. At the lower levels, I attempt to control excessive speed by using turns, and the courses need to have breathing spaces where the rider and horse have time to reorganize. The different levels have different challenges and I enjoy seeing horses go well at each level.”

Breaking the course down

The ability to control pace and track is crucial to success in competition. Holmes notes that practise on these foundations of training is possible at home, even with limited room and a few basic jumps. “Some things, like atmosphere and arena confidence, can only be achieved through competing. But the riding controls needed for complete courses can be achieved at home through breaking the course down into smaller, more achievable sections, and then connecting them. Most any part of a course challenge can be practiced on a single low fence or fences before it can be achieved in a similar form as a big course.”

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Holmes suggests using basic patterns and changing the jump setup in the ring once a week to keep things fresh. Even at home, make sure jumps are outfitted with safety cups and all jump equipment is in good condition. Regular attention to your arena footing is also necessary.

He explains that a wide variety of tests that may be encountered at shows can be schooled using an efficient use of arena space. The route of a competition course can be visualized as a road or path; the road needs to have smooth turns, almost as though you were to drive a truck and trailer through it. Optional shorter turns are more difficult, but still need to be executed as a smooth route. “This aspect of course design encourages an even rhythm in the movement of the horse, which is a focus of basic training. Jerky turns will encourage rough riding,” he explains.

“On your course at home, you want the “road” – the approach and landing – to each jump to be clear and not have other jumps in the way on that road. Generally, any pattern where the jumps are placed like the hands of a clock with an hour, minute, and second hand in varying angles will work well. Bending lines will accommodate many stride lengths if you have several horses of different stride lengths using the course.” Patterns like figure eights are useful, as well as the serpentine-type track, with three jumps set on an “S” route (see diagrams, left). Holmes also suggests maximizing arena space and doubling exercise options by setting jumps that are safe to be taken in both directions, such as square oxers with good groundlines.

Turn, turn, turn

Holmes commonly employs tests in the equitation and jumper rings that safely weed out the best-prepared from those who may benefit from some work on the basics. Repeatedly popping up is the rider’s ability stay balanced through turns while keeping pace. “I like to challenge the rider’s steering and pace controls. The ability to land in control from a jump and be ready to turn is the mark of intermediate-level jumping,” he explains. “Cutting corners and drifting wide on turns often leads to missed distances, so track options where riders in control may take shorter routes is a standard test. It should be noted that fluid jumps taken out of stride and in balance are better than a risky missed distance off a short turn. Sometimes the handy inside turn is not the best option and riders need to use their judgement as to what is achievable for themselves.” Again, working over jumps on a serpentine or figure eight pattern is useful to improve these skills.

Minimizing the spook factor

Horses unfamiliar with horse show settings may at first be intimidated or just plain terrified with the beautiful jumps at competition venues filled with flowers and shrubbery. “Filler such as panels, boxes, and planks are spookier than the poles we school with at home and are a test of bravery,” Holmes explains. Work at home to acclimatize green or nervous horses to the types of jumps they may encounter in competition. “I suggest using them in verticals until your horse is comfortable with them. Try not to achieve too many things at once, so spooky filler, width of spreads, and raising of heights should be attempted one at a time. This increases the odds of success and avoids overfacing the rider or horse, which can result in a loss of confidence that can be difficult to restore.”

Arrive at the horse show well-prepared for the task at hand; if the homework has been done, a safe, enjoyable and hopefully successful competition will likely be the result if you understand the challenges set out in the course.