[Calamber]

Howeve "cute" the marketing pitch, that is a horrifying feeling when a horse is in a full out gallop and it suddenly turns into a jump. That picture frightens me, I do not see it as "cute". They jump puddles sometimes, they will run sideways leaping over a puddle, (I was unseated like that in mid air) and I was not a race rider, I was in a gallop through a woods, thought the mare would gallop through the puddle and she did not. Luckily I landed on my feet both times this happened and did not break my leg, but I did get a mean sprain out of it. Anytime a racehorse jumps in any direction, up or sideways, it could be fatal for many. Just think that these jockeys are crouched over a neck sometimes lifting their body out of the saddle, and just think about what could have happened except that they were athletic enough (both man and horse) to continue on together. I can imagine that jockey did not think that jump cute.

[Gestalt]

"I wanna be a steeplechaser!"
"No!"
"I wanna jump the big fences!"
"No!"
"I'm gonna jump the imaginary fences!"

Bwahahahahaha I rode a horse that jumped imaginary fences! Fun horse when I was 20 something, wouldn't be fun now though.

[Gestalt]

"I wanna be a steeplechaser!"
"No!"
"I wanna jump the big fences!"
"No!"
"I'm gonna jump the imaginary fences!"

Bwahahahahaha I rode a horse that jumped imaginary fences! Fun horse when I was 20 something, wouldn't be fun now though.

[Gestalt]

"I wanna be a steeplechaser!"
"No!"
"I wanna jump the big fences!"
"No!"
"I'm gonna jump the imaginary fences!"

Bwahahahahaha I rode a horse that jumped imaginary fences! Fun horse when I was 20 something, wouldn't be fun now though.

[Gestalt]

Calamber, You post about "fear", yet your signature is about defying fear. Color me puzzled.

[Calamber]

The realization of a situation to fear and letting fear dominate you are two completely different concepts. If you see the "Gestalt" of the picture (sorry could not help myself), I have a different response than cute. Perhaps I should have said that the horse jumping imaginary objects was of concern rather than it frightened me, but it certainly would have frightened me if I was riding the horse. Later, if I survived, I could have had time to recover from that moment of fear and try to think through how I would really not like to ride a horse over an imaginary jump at approx 30 mphagain. I do not think Marie Curie was saying that there is nothing to fear since she was dealing with the use of her lifelong work of discovery either being used for weapons or for peace.

I was more commenting on how "not cute" it is in either the marketing pitch or the pitter patter of comments. This is dangerous when it happens in a race, and not exactly a good quality for the horse as a riding/pleasure/showing, etc. animal but it certainly happens that horses do things on the basis of simple survival only. Vision being what it is, it is not always reliable but they are horses after all. Hope that is less confusing.

[tradewind]

Alot of this sires get are known for good temperments. What happens on the track does not always indicate what they do off of it after a period of let down and retraining.

[Calamber]

Alot of this sires get are known for good temperments. What happens on the track does not always indicate what they do off of it after a period of let down and retraining.

That is certainly true. I was not trying to imply anything about the horse nor the sire. Many, many horses come off the track because they were overall not good at the sport for a variety of reasons and very rarely does that translate into what they are good for off of the track. If I saw a horse do this in a race, however, I would not be inclined to take that horse. That is all, just my preference. She was all hooded up though if I remember the picture correctly and that can certainly affect visual acuity.

[Gestalt]

I guess I have a different take on the quality of the horse's mind. To me it shows quick-mindedness and agility. (and I like that they didn't spook sideways, that is not good) One of my best ever horses jumped a small log that was in the trail that I didn't see. There were several of us galloping along having a grand time. One riders horse didn't react in time and they both took a header. Wasn't a good outcome.

I do understand your reference now, thanks for the clarification on your sig.

[caffeinated]

Alot of this sires get are known for good temperments. What happens on the track does not always indicate what they do off of it after a period of let down and retraining.

Not to mention this particular horse was two in the photo, and it was his first win. He's five now, and no longer jumping shadows (trainer gave us this pic, we need to go back for more photos which should happen in the next week or so).

And I get how this could be a scary moment, but having ridden imaginary leaps at all gaits, the ones from the gallop are the ones I've had the easiest time staying with.

[WhiteCamry]

It calls to mind two great steeplechasers:

Jay Trump, who started out as a flat runner at Charles Town. Sometime around 1960 he jumped the rail when his jockey accidentally hit him in his right eye.

Devon Loch, who was about to win the 1956 Grand National at Aintree when, for no discernible reason, leaped not unlike this. He crash-landed on his belly with all four legs cartoonishly splayed.

[Freebird!]

Howeve "cute" the marketing pitch, that is a horrifying feeling when a horse is in a full out gallop and it suddenly turns into a jump. That picture frightens me, I do not see it as "cute". They jump puddles sometimes, they will run sideways leaping over a puddle, (I was unseated like that in mid air) and I was not a race rider, I was in a gallop through a woods, thought the mare would gallop through the puddle and she did not. Luckily I landed on my feet both times this happened and did not break my leg, but I did get a mean sprain out of it. Anytime a racehorse jumps in any direction, up or sideways, it could be fatal for many. Just think that these jockeys are crouched over a neck sometimes lifting their body out of the saddle, and just think about what could have happened except that they were athletic enough (both man and horse) to continue on together. I can imagine that jockey did not think that jump cute.

I've breezed many a racehorese that jumped shadows...heck, I was working one once - we were clocking 12 second 8'ths - came around the turn to find a bunch of geese in the middle of the track. Yes, at the time it was pretty scary leaping over a goose, but we laughed like heck afterwards, lol.

[FairWeather]

The realization of a situation to fear and letting fear dominate you are two completely different concepts. If you see the "Gestalt" of the picture (sorry could not help myself), I have a different response than cute. Perhaps I should have said that the horse jumping imaginary objects was of concern rather than it frightened me, but it certainly would have frightened me if I was riding the horse. Later, if I survived, I could have had time to recover from that moment of fear and try to think through how I would really not like to ride a horse over an imaginary jump at approx 30 mphagain. I do not think Marie Curie was saying that there is nothing to fear since she was dealing with the use of her lifelong work of discovery either being used for weapons or for peace.

I was more commenting on how "not cute" it is in either the marketing pitch or the pitter patter of comments. This is dangerous when it happens in a race, and not exactly a good quality for the horse as a riding/pleasure/showing, etc. animal but it certainly happens that horses do things on the basis of simple survival only. Vision being what it is, it is not always reliable but they are horses after all. Hope that is less confusing.

Regardless of how the photo makes you feel, it is an interesting shot that not many people have experienced and as such is going to get conversation going.
A maiden jumping a shadow isn't all that uncommon, it just doesn't exist in many pictures.

[nasalberry]

now what's the story behind that photo?!

Needs bigger shadow roll?

[FineAlready]

I never realized that they sometimes jumped shadows, either, but it makes sense. And it is super adorable!

My horse (an OTTB) did jump shadows in the arena a few times when he was first learning to jump. It was always really funny and cute. Overachiever. Now, at the ever so mature age of 7, he refrains from jumping them in favor of the more dignified treating them as trot poles.

[Appsolute]

My old eventer has been known to jump shadows – and changes in footing – drag tracks criss cross? He is going to jump the “line” they make. Sure, I wasn’t going flat out full speed to the finish line when this happened – but if you see the photos I linked to, there are other racers who have done the same jump the line or shadow thing – and it didn’t result in death or mayhem.

Riding horses is risky – keep calm and your weight in your heels – and you will probably be okay.

[SmartAlex]

You all want some fun? Try a Saddlebred shadow jumping from a park trot. You just pray you weren't posting ^up^ at that moment.

[FineAlready]

Of all the horsey behaviors to be afraid of, a horse jumping out of a gallop stride when the rider (jockey) is decidedly with the motion seems pretty low on the list.

[gumtree]

There is a colt by Dayjur named "Jump The Shadow" lol

For those who don’t understand Lord Helpus comment; Dayjur jumped a shadow in his Breeders’ Cup race at Belmont which cost him the race and me a lot of money. Right in front of me, can still see it.

[danceronice]

"Keep calm and keep your heels down" may be my new motto.

[WhiteCamry]

For those who don’t understand Lord Helpus comment; Dayjur jumped a shadow in his Breeders’ Cup race at Belmont which cost him the race and me a lot of money. Right in front of me, can still see it.

Here 'tis.

Apparently, this wasn't Dayjur's first shadow-jump, nor was he the only one in this race with such an issue. Mr. Nickerson jumped and flopped on the far turn, sending Chris Antley to the hospital.

[Laurierace]

Mr Nickerson didn't jump and flop, he dropped dead from a ruptured aorta. I remember literally screaming at the sight of Go For Wand attempting to continue to run on a leg that wasn't there anymore. Not a good day.