Why the course walk matters

Walking the showjumping course is not a leisurely stroll before you tack up. It is your only chance to see the track from ground level, measure the distances, and decide how you will ride each line. Ten to fifteen minutes of focused walking can save you a refusal, a run-out, or a costly time fault. Arrive at the arena early, watch a few rounds if you can, but always walk your own line. The plan you make on foot should be the plan you ride in the saddle.

Read the ground and the arena first

Before you pace a single distance, look at the surface. Is it deep and holding, or firm and fast? Push your heel into the take-off and landing areas of each fence. If the ground is deep, your horse will tire more quickly, so plan a smoother track with fewer tight turns. If it is firm, be mindful of concussion and avoid unnecessary speed. Check the arena size, any slopes, and the route from the entrance to the first fence. Many faults happen in the first three fences because the rider has not established rhythm. Note shadows, banners, flowers, and filler panels that might catch your horse's eye. Walk the track you will actually ride, not the one you wish you were riding.

• Feel the footing at every landing and take-off.
• Check for patches of false ground or standing water.
• Note where the light falls and where the crowd is closest.

Measure distances and decide on strides

Pace out every related distance. The average horse's canter stride on good ground is about 12 feet (3.65 metres). For a related distance, add 6 feet for landing and 6 feet for take-off. That means a one-stride double is roughly 24 feet (7.3 metres), two strides is 36 feet (11 metres), and three strides is 48 feet (14.6 metres). Ponies and small horses have shorter strides, so adjust accordingly. Walk the distance twice: once with a relaxed pace and once with your horse's natural length in mind. A big, free-moving horse may need to add a stride in a short distance, while a quick, neat pony can leave one out. But do not guess. If the distance is long, plan to ride forward and straight. If it is short, plan to hold and balance. Always think about the fence before the distance, because that is where the stride is created.

Plan turns, lines, and alternatives

Every course has a natural line. Look for inside turns that save time but cost balance, and outside lines that give rhythm but add time. In the first round, a clear round is usually the priority, so choose the line that gives you the best chance of jumping clean. In a jump-off, you can take more risk, but only if you have practised the turn at home. Walk both options at combinations: if you get a bad jump in, can you add a stride? If you get a forward one, can you leave one out safely? Identify dog-legs, short turns, and any place where you need to rebalance. Use arena letters, fence numbers, and wings as markers. Know where you can push for a forward distance and where you must sit up and wait. A good plan includes a Plan B for every fence that worries you.

• Plan A: forward, smooth, and least risky.
• Plan B: add a stride or take the outside line if needed.
• Know your escape route if a fence goes wrong.

Match the plan to your horse

No two horses walk the same course. A keen, hot horse needs more balancing turns and a quieter approach. A lazy horse needs forward distances and a wake-up transition before the first fence. A careful horse can be trusted with a short one, but may back off a wide oxer. A bold horse may jump big and land running, so plan the next fence early. Think about your horse's strengths: turning, galloping, adjustability, bravery, and fitness. If your horse struggles with related distances, build in an extra stride. If he has a huge stride, avoid tight combinations that will make him guess. If your horse is coming back from a break, do not plan a demanding track. The course walk is where you make these decisions, not in the ring. Write the plan in your head, or say it out loud, so it is clear before you mount.

Final checks before you mount

Before you leave the arena, check the fence numbers and colours. Note any fence that causes you concern. Check the time allowed and, if there is a jump-off, walk that course as well. Make sure you know the order of fences and the direction of the track. Warm up with purpose: practise your canter transitions, get the rhythm you want, and jump a couple of practice fences that mimic the first one. Stick to your plan, but be flexible if the ground or weather changes. After the round, cool your horse down properly, check his legs, and reward him. The course walk is only one part of a successful day, but with a clear plan, you and your horse can jump a confident, smooth round.