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How to Build Standards for Horse Jumps

| Updated September 26, 2017

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure

  • Saw

  • Drill

  • ¼-inch bit

  • ½ spade bit

  • One 4-by-4, 8 foot long

  • Two 1-by-4s, 8 foot long

  • Jump cups

  • Three 3-inch PVC pipes, 10 foot long

If you are just starting to teach your horse to jump and you do not have a lot of money to invest in fancy equipment, don't worry: You can make your own jumping standards with just a few materials and tools.

Cut the 4-by-4 into two four-foot sections. Mark both pieces as “A.” These will be the jump standard post.

Measure 12 inches from the ground end of both “A” boards. Continue to measure and mark the boards at 15 inches, 18 inches, 21 inches, 24 inches, 27 inches, 30 inches, 33 inches, 36 inches, 39 inches, 42 inches and 45 inches. These marks should be in the center of the “A” post.

Use the ¼-inch drill bit to make a hole through all the points you just measured on both “A” pieces.

Cut eight 20-inch pieces from the two 1-by-4s. Mark as “B.” These will make the base for the jump standard.

Screw one “B” board at a right angle to the bottom of one “A” post. The left side of “B” should be flush with the left side of “A.”

Turn the “A” post over and screw another “B” board at a right angle to “A” going the opposite direction from the first “B” board.

Rotate the “A” post and screw the third “B” board in a pinwheel pattern on the bottom of “A.” Screw the fourth “B” board on the final side of the “A” post, completing the pinwheel.

Place a jump cup at the 12-inch hole and insert pin. Check that the cup fits securely.