Horse & Hound’s guide to JAS

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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 eventing competition, without the dressage.

  • 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

    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 three showjumping classes where the jump-off follows immediately after the first round
  • Hire a local show centre with bright fences or take part in a few indoor eventing clinics. For details go to:www.britisheventing.com

    Find out more

    THE 2013 BE JAS series kicks off on 12 January at Solihull. For more dates and information visit: www.britisheventing.com.

    The following venues are among those that hold arena eventing/training competitions throughout the winter (R=held once a month or more):

    Aintree (Liverpool), visit: www.aintreeequestriancentre.co.uk
    Addington (Bucks), visit: www.addingtonmanor.co.uk (R)
    Allens Hill (Worcs), visit: www.allenshill.co.uk (R)
    Cricklands (Chepstow), visit: www.cricklands.com (R)
    Eland Lodge (Derbys), visit: www.elandlodge.com (R)
    Field House (Staffs), visit: www.fieldhousemarchington.com
    Kelsall (Cheshire), visit: www.kelsallhill.co.uk
    Keysoe (Beds), visit: www.keysoe.com
    Summerhouse (Glos), visit: www.summerhouseec.co.uk (R)
    South View (Cheshire), visit: www.southviewarena.com
    Tushingham Arena (Cheshire), visit: www.tushinghamarena.co.uk (R)
    Vale View (Leicestershire), visit: www.valeviewequestrian.co.uk (R)
    Weston Lawns (Warwicks), visit: www.westonlawns.co.uk (R)

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    • Originally published on horseandhound.co.uk
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