British Eventing (BE) introduced its jumping and style (JAS) series in 2001 as a stop-gap during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak when outdoor competition was halted. In a nutshell, it is a quick-fire arena eventing competition, without the dressage.
The style aspect of the class is judged by a panel of judges and judges for the 2016 series include Nick Gauntlett and Jeanette Brakewell.
The series culminates in a final at the end of February which competitors must qualify for.
Here’s some fast facts to help describe how these competitions work.
- Classes range from BE90 to open (1.15m) level. They consist of six to eight showjumps, followed immediately by eight to 10 simulated, knock-down cross-country fences
- You can expect to find skinnies, corners and simulated coffins even at BE90 level, albeit in a simple form
- The fences are plastic, in bright and garish colours, and can catch out young horses
- There is an optimum time for the “cross-country” phase based on metres per minute. Exceeding the optimum time incurs one penalty for every second over
- The final score will consist of the total jumping and time-penalties, plus a style mark (out of a possible 60 points) judged by a BE-accredited coach or elite rider, over both jumping phases and translated into penalties
Continued below…
British Eventing reveals its 2016 fixtures list
New grassroots fixtures have been added to British Eventing's 2016 calendar
Training tips
- If your horse is not used to narrow fences, build up slowly. Start by using poles on the floor between wings, focusing on accuracy and control
- Recreate skinnies and corners at home using bright and garish materials to create obstacles
- Plan some “despooking” sessions. Get your horse used to jumping over blue plastic and makeshift water trays
- Before you enter an arena event, take part in at least a handful showjumping classes where the jump-off follows immediately after the first round to help get your horse used to jumping a number of fences in one go
- Hire a local show centre with bright fences or take part in a few indoor eventing clinics.
JAS dates 2016
- 10 January — Bury Farm, Buckinghamshire — Style juge: Sarah Bullimore
- 16 January — Hartpury College, Gloucestershire — Style judge: Lizzel Winter
- 17 January — West Wilts Equestrian Centre, Wiltshire — Style judge: Jayne Smart
- 23 January — Bishop Burton College, East Yorkshire — Style judge: Heidi Woodhead
- 24 January — Solihull, West Midlands — Style judge: John Paul Sheffield
- 30 January — Houghton Hall, Norfolk — Style judge: Sue Ringrose
- 31 January — Wellington, Hampshire — Style judge: Helen Wilson
- 6 February — Bury Farm, Buckinghamshire — Style judge: Jonathan Chapman
- 7 February — Aintree Equestrian, Merseyside — Style judge: Jeanette Brakewell
- 13 February — Arena UK, Lincolnshire — Style judge: Emilie Chandler
- 14 February — Hartpury College, Gloucestershire — Style judge: Nick Gauntlett
- FINAL — 21 Febraury — Hartpury College, Gloucestershire — Style judge: Jeanette Brakewell
For more information on the 2016 BE JAS series visit: www.britisheventing.com