Evolution of the Water Jump in Eventing 

Surprising how none of the horses even hesitated. A lot of them had never seen a water jump before but they just dove in - and regretted it very soon afterwards.

Amazing video, the footage from the Berlin Olympics is just amazing, if kind of rough, to see. That one rider pulled so hard the bridle came right off!

The first two German riders: classic German riders!! Sit bolt upright, hands steady, leg on!! Love it!!!

Eventing in the 70's was insane, I just saw the video from OL.. Happy its not like that anymore!!

This is one of our favorite vintage videos ever! #throwbackthursday Evolution of the Water Jump in Eventing

Great video! Keep them coming!

3:26 Horse shakes off the bridle, the rider looks around and says "ah, forget it" and walks off. Meanwhile, the horse decides it's a good time for a drink.

I’m so glad cross country, and the equestrian sport in general has changed since back then. It changed for the better too. In the old footage it’s almost like they treat the horses as if they are machines. It’s not smart to get back on the poor animal that fell hard and could barely stand. Now you are disqualified if you fall off, which I think it’s for the better. Better for the horse and for the rider. Nice how they changed the depth of the water too. Seems almost impossible to gain footing after landing three feet into over a foot of water and still must jump out in such a small distance. Almost no time to regain your striding. This footage must have been hard to find. Very cool!

Back in the day when courses were based on what you jumped out hunting or obstacles from riding during the war. No safety kit, brave men and horses and some amazingly sticky bottoms!,! Our techniques have improved and course design, but the horses and riders are still brave. Would be nice to see deeper water on occasion, provided the jump in was designed to keep them slow.

That water was so deep compared to water jumps now!

Proud to say Earl Thomson at 5:47 was my great uncle. He didn't even lose his hat!

Their heads keep going under... not good if a lot of water gets in their ears.

No saddle pads or numnahs then !

thanks!! I just had no clue, sorry!!!

the old water jumps are wayyyy better

Horses always seem fearless and brave compared to their riders.

The 1936 Olympics are not really a good example as the jump was made especially to humiliate non-German riders, who were unaware of the under-water geography... That said, you can see well that the classical German Training System (origin of today's training scale) in it's original form and as laid out in the HDV12 German Cavalry Manual (available on amazon and HorseHaus.com) is sound: supple balanced seat, staying out of the horse's way.

The first two Dutchland riders (I think its Dutch, not really sure!! haha!!) seemed like the best ridden.... *shrug* so glad I wasn't eventing then!!

SEA HORSE....

dutchland is germany in german

Good video - never put it on MUTE ...

The water jump was deeper in the middle - far deeper and much less deep on the left side. Amazingly all of the German riders hugged the left side. Cheat much?

horribly unfair jumps. Horses obediently jumped into the water only to half drown themselves and lose their feet as a reward for their trust to the rider. I bet 50% would not jump water again after that.

german riders did best