Show jumping courses for small arenas
Effective Show Jumping Courses for Small Arenas
Finding good show jumping courses for small arenas can be a real challenge. If you have limited space, it’s not always easy to set up a course that feels complete and useful. That’s why when you find a course that works well in a small arena, you want to keep it handy—and this one is exactly that.
This course is designed to maximize your training in a compact space. It includes a gymnastic line, a couple of related distances, and a double combination, giving you the chance to practice all the key skills your horse and you need to improve. Whether you’re focusing on rhythm, balance, or adjustability, this setup has you covered.
For demonstration, I use a standard dressage arena, which many riders have access to. If your arena is even smaller, don’t worry—you can simply shorten the related distances by one stride to make the course fit your space better without losing any of the exercise’s benefits.
The beauty of this course is that it helps build precision and responsiveness without needing a large, show-size arena. If you’re limited on space but want a well-rounded, effective training session, this is one of the best show jumping courses for small arenas you’ll find.
Keep this course in your toolkit to get the most out of your small arena and help your horse develop strong, consistent jumping skills.
How to setup this show jumping courses for small arenas
Easy Course Setup with Clear Distances
This setup is straightforward, but you’ll need to measure carefully. Here’s how to do it:
Jump 1 (Gymnastic Line)
Start by setting up a gymnastic down the long side of your arena, closer to the bottom end. Leave some open space near the top of the arena. The distances for the gymnastic are:
- 3 paces between the two bounce strides
- 7 paces from the last bounce to the vertical
- 7 paces from the vertical to the oxer
Jumps 2, 4, and 5 (Double Combination and Related Vertical)
On the opposite long side, set up a one-stride double combination: a vertical to an oxer, spaced 8 paces apart. Then, 4 strides (20 paces) after the double combination, place another vertical. This makes a nice level 4-stride distance.
Jump 3 (Oxer on a Curve)
Set up an oxer about 28 paces away on a gentle curve from the verticals (jumps 2 and 5). This will be a six-stride related distance on the curve. Keep the angle mild—avoid jumping directly into the gymnastic line, and make sure you can ride past the gymnastic comfortably.
Jump 6 (Open Space Vertical)
Finally, place a vertical in the open space near the top of the arena, roughly on the centerline but set at a slight angle.
And that’s it—you’re all set up and ready to ride!
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