Taking flight. Tina has given us this challenge for the Lens Artists challenge #144. The usual response would be birds or planes but why not horses? These jumpers are truly taking flight.
Thank you Tina for the chance to show some flying horses!
For readers of this post do take a look at the amazing birds Tina captured with her camera where she lives. https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2021/04/17/lens-artists-challenge-144-taking-flight/
At 4*, you’re likely jumping at 1.65m fences regularly. They start you easy at 1.40-1.45m, then ramp you up to 1.50-1.55m by #3. From that point on, it’s mostly 1.60-1.65m. The daughters have said this is when you want a tall horse. And, sometimes they might sneak in 1.70-1.75m fence, but not too often. You might see that height in a World Cup Final, but usually as a single.
Deborah is 5’7” tall. If she stands tippy-toed, she can peer over the top rail of a 1.65m fence. Elizabeth is 5’5″ and Tara is 5’4″. Both of them, tippy-toed are eye level with the top rail of a 1.65m fence. The maximum width of a fence combination is 2.0m, the heights always ascending. Can’t be descending because a horse can’t judge the distance.
I hear you ! I am always tempted to jump those logs in the forest. And sometimes I do and then I let out a big whoop of joy. But it is silly of me to do it. Both my hips have been replaced so there would be a bad bounce if I came off. Enjoy the weekend and thanks for leaving this comment.
Excellent photos as usual, Anne – and graceful horses and riders! I tried jumping when I was a horse girl some 50 years ago…but the horse stopped just in front of, so I jumped alone…I didn’t get hurt though, but that was my only attempt at this. I still love watching the big horse shows on TV and I still love horses. Thank you for giving us the opportunity!
Well that stopping and allowing the rider to go first is something that happens often in jumping. I certainly had it happen to me several times. It is fun to watch the jumpers though. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos!
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I try to come up with something relating to horses for the lens artists photo challenges. Sometimes that is not possible but this time it was. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and thank you for leaving a comment.
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No I have not written about her and the Grand National. I will look that up. But to be honest I do not know much about those races other than they are extremely dangerous for both horse and jockey. They do not cover the big steeplechase races here in North America in the news media.
The Grand National is heartbreaking – the jumps are so big and usually some poor horse breaks a leg and that an end to them (and the jockeys break things too). I never really understood why they put down horses with a broken leg until I broke mine. I struggled to get around for weeks, there’s no way you could get a horse to “rest” its leg (although many cats and dogs cope with only three legs).
LOL re the horse that dumped the rider (hopefully he or she was not hurt!). I took riding lessons as a kid and the first time we went out to try jumping over a tiny little fence, my horse decided he wanted to jump the big one! My dad and the owner of the stable came running out to see if I was OK (I was) and to tell me I did a great job staying on the horse – YIKES!! That was my one and only jump 😂. Your images are wonderful and the horses and riders so graceful and well-partnered. Great idea for the flying challenge Anne.
Yes I think they are. Thanks for commenting.
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Welcome
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HorseAddict 
I’d love to hear from you!