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| Field Jumps in the Warm-up at Fitch's Corner |
As an Adult Amateur event rider Cindy Horrocks wanted to be able to school her horses over cross-country jumps of different heights without investing in a whole schooling course at multiple levels. So she set out on a mission to develop an inexpensive, adjustable-height cross-country jump. Her criteria were simple: the jumps had to be easy to adjust, inexpensive to construct, and able to be built without the use of heavy equipment.
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| Cindy at Work |
Cindy got to work, and the end result is her company,
Field Jumps LLC, which manufactures two products: the Timber Cup (patented) and Timber Tie (patent pending). Using these products, one jump can be adjusted to many levels. The products have been sold to Olympic level riders as well as the most basic small farm and Pony Clubs. The products are ideal for schooling courses, clinics, and even foxhunting.
The Timber Tie can be affixed to almost any size tree by the use of a strap and holds a log or other heavy cross piece. The Timber Cup, more similar in concept to a standard show jumping cup, slips over a 6”x6” in. upright post and rests on metal supports. You can easily adjust the height of a jump by tilting and raising or lowering the cup, which holds a 10" diameter log or more.
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A challenging situation was made easy with use of a Timber Tie
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“I am a low level eventer but passionate that the sport of eventing continues to grow and be enjoyed by low level riders as well as the professionals,” says Cindy. “An inexpensive, adjustable-height jump was the answer. My mission statement is, "The use of the Timber Cup and Timber Tie will encourage more riders to participate in cross country jumping thus promoting the growth of Eventing, Hunter Derby and Fox Hunting. Cross Country jumping should be enjoyed by more people at safe and appropriate levels."
Cindy recalls, “The first prototypes were made in a welder’s shop and were bulky and ugly. I packed them up and went to the USEA annual meeting in New Orleans, where they were very well received and I was encouraged to continue. Next came the long, expensive process of engineers and patents. I was firm about having them made in the US, and finally found an excellent production company. The journey had been rewarding, with much encouragement from riders and friends along the way. There will always be some difficulties, but the wonderful people I have met along this path have been a highlight. I have owned my own businesses since I was 23 years old; now, at 64, this has been the most interesting and fulfilling undertaking.”
One of the people Cindy met along the way was Eric Bull of ETB Equine Construction. Eric uses Cindy’s products in his courses, and Cindy often helps run Eric’s booth at event trade fairs while he’s out on course.
“Eric saw the value of having adjustable jumps available for small farms and training facilities as well as events,” says Cindy. “He made a wonderful Trakehner /Ditches adjustable jumps for Boyd Martin at his extensive training facility in Pennsylvania and at his training facility in Aiken, which is in a small space. The fact that the cross piece can be lowered, raised or removed makes it a valuable and versatile jump. Eric has also made a beautiful, adjustable portable cross-country jump, which has been very popular.”
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| Trakehner at Boyd Martin's Windurra in PA |
Discussing adjustable jumps, Eric says, “Cindy’s worked with a lot of people who have made good, useful, creative and SAFE courses with her products. Whenever you have constraints with your budget or space, it’s nice to be able to do more with less. We had one event with adequate funding but limited space, and the water complex was in a small space – they were running beginner novice through advanced levels and it was really helpful to be able to have an adjustable jump so that we could maximize the existing complex. From the financial aspect an adjustable portable fence makes sense for someone who is not going to spend more than about $1000 on schooling fences – you can make beginner novice – prelim height with one jump that costs $700, instead of buying four separate fences. Add a few more simple fences and you have a basic course.”
For more information contact Cindy Horrocks, Pres. Field Jumps LLC
www.fieldjumps.com
518.524.0368
