How do you build a water jump?

[clm08]

I am looking for advice on how to build a simple water jump: how deep do you need to excavate, what do you line it with to make it less permeable, what do you put down for footing, etc. It should be as inexpensive to make as possible while still being safe and useful for schooling.
TIA!

[tle]

unfortunately, water jumps ARE expensive. Either you spend the $$ up front and get something that will last... or you spend the $$$ on the back end fixing it constantly (and yes the $$ and $$$ were put in that way on purpose as I believe it will ultimately cost you MORE to do a 'cheap' job upfront).

I'm not an expert but here is what I remember or seem to remember about water jumps --

1) check the rulebook on how deep the water can be, as well as how big the jumps in and out. You really don't need or want anything terribly deep.

2) building in an existing stream is a BAD idea for footing sake. At the same time, building on top of a hill is a bit ridiculous as well.

3) you will want some kind of impermeable liner as well as good compacted footing both under and on top of the liner. The liner is probably THE single biggest expense but it is worth it. Put $$ into a good one as well as plenty of good footing on top -- worst thing you want is a hoof punching through your liner.

4) unless you know the jump will drain itself, you may want to investigate putting in a method of drainage -- this will help clear the jump for repairs and footing checks along with keeping the moss and gunk buildup to a minimum, but it will also help when you want to school and the jump is TOO deep for safety.

You might want to check wtih USEA to see if they have anything written on water jump construction. Or contact one of the certified course designers and see if they'll let you pick their brains over the phone. alternatively, you could hire one to design your jump and you build it from their plans.

Good luck!

[baxtersmom]

The book Design and Build a Cross Country Course has detailed instructions. We are building our schooling water obstacle this year.

http://www.amazon.com/Design-Build-Cross-Country-Course-Morshead/dp/1872119867

[clm08]

Thanks tle and baxtersmom for your advice and pointers. I knew there was a book about building XC jumps but couldn't remember the name and didn't know if it was really good.
The high cost of building one might be the reason there are so few (or next to none) of them around here - sigh... We will have to see if we can find the funds to build one properly, as tle commented.

[baxtersmom]

We did a variety of fund-raisers at our barn. Unfortunately, it is VERY expensive, even to do something small. Good luck!!

[nextyear]

The book Design and Build a Cross Country Course has detailed instructions. We are building our schooling water obstacle this year.

http://www.amazon.com/Design-Build-Cross-Country-Course-Morshead/dp/1872119867

The other great book is" X/C course design and construction" by Mike Etherington-Smith.
We have both books and draw from them every time something new is built!

[FairWeather]

What kind of liner do you use? I've got all the equipment here, and the dudes to run it. I just want a giant puddle--hard to do?

[subk]

The other big expense/problem is that you need to either pipe water to it or locate it somewhere that already has water.

[baxtersmom]

What kind of liner do you use? I've got all the equipment here, and the dudes to run it. I just want a giant puddle--hard to do?

I don't remember the specs offhand (BO has the plans) but you need a heavy duty impermeable membrane, and one without seams is better. We were also strongly advised to add two layers of a felt/ fabric material (sandwiching the liner) to prevent punctures, not to mention the gravel base and sand layers. Sadly, rather esspensive, even for a schooling puddle (just trying to build one for barn use)... and we have quarries right around the corner. I will try to remember to bring the stuff home and put up notes...

[FairWeather]

Our ground is about 1-2 feet of sand and then clay. Apparently around here you don't need a liner, but more a base on top of the clay so it doesn't suck feet.
Hrmmm...worth pondering further, thanks!

[Groro]

Todd Richardson built ours a few months ago. It is an expensivd proposition to do it correctly. He has built many cross country courses and water jumps. He said ours is as good as any event's. We are now letting it "cure" so the base is solid and won't punch through to the rubber and felt. We built it near our lake so we can pump the water up to it. I think we spent around $10,000 for it and a bank jump (had to put the dirt somewhere). Now we are saving money for our cross country jumps.....