Is YardForge really free to use?

Yes. The Free plan includes the full 2D showjumping course designer, stride calculator, and FEI/BS validation for up to 8 courses, no credit card required. PDF export and 3D viewer unlock on Pro; feature gating matters more than course count.

How does the stride calculator work?

YardForge measures the straight-line distance between each pair of jumps and divides it by your horse's configured stride length. It accounts for approach and landing lengths and flags combinations outside the ideal range for your selected competition standard.

Does it validate FEI and British Showjumping rules?

Yes. Switch the Competition Standard to FEI or BS and YardForge checks distances, combination spacings, jump heights and spreads against published tables. Errors and warnings appear in real time as you design.

Can I use YardForge on mobile or tablet?

The 2D designer and 3D viewer work on any modern browser. The AR walk-through works on most Android phones. On iPhone or iPad, place courses in AR using the built-in AR Quick Look.

Can I share courses with my team or clients?

Courses can be shared via a public link which opens a read-only 3D viewer, no account needed for the recipient. School & Venue plans add full yard-wide team sharing.

Can I export courses to PDF or print?

Yes. Pro and School & Venue plans include one-click PDF export with the course diagram, jump list, stride table, and competition info on a single page.

What happens to my courses if I downgrade?

Your courses are never deleted. If you exceed the Free plan's 8-course limit after downgrading, existing courses are locked to read-only until you delete some or re-upgrade.

Does YardForge work offline?

The 2D designer, stride calculator and 3D viewer work offline once loaded, your browser caches the app. Course saves sync to the cloud when your connection returns.

Show Jumping Course Design and Horse Welfare: Fair Questions, Not Traps

Published 12 July 2026

A balanced show jumping track designed for fair questions in YardForge

Horse welfare sits at the centre of equestrian sport’s social licence in 2026. Riders at the top of the sport increasingly talk about long-term careers for their horses; national campaigns stress health essentials; and every club designer still chooses whether a track asks a question or sets a trap. This article is for people who design and build show jumping courses — from unaffiliated evenings to affiliated classes — and want the plan to ride fairly.

It is not a substitute for FEI or British Showjumping rules, or for the official course designer’s sign-off at championship level.

Why welfare and design are the same conversation

A welfare-minded course:

Matches the level of the class (height, width, related distances)
Progresses difficulty so the hardest question is not fence one
Leaves space to rebalance after combinations and sharp turns
Avoids optical tricks that only punish honest horses
Can be walked, built and ridden with the same map

When public trust is thin, “clever” tracks that regularly produce unnecessary falls or refusals cost the whole sport — not just one entry fee.

Design principles that protect horses

1. Set the standard before the first wing

Choose FEI, BS, Hunter or Unaffiliated first, then design. Switching standards mid-plan is how illegal spreads and combination distances sneak in. Use FEI vs British Showjumping validation and, for 2026 schedules, FEI Jumping Rules notes for designers.

2. Design the line the horse rides

Fences hang on a track. Long approaches, fair turns and readable lines produce better jumping than packing the ring. See how to design a show jumping course and bending lines.

3. Related distances are a welfare issue

A short combination for the level is not “educational” — it is a risk. Measure, validate, and check ponies separately. The stride calculator and distances guide exist for this.

4. Combinations and water need extra honesty

Combinations multiply mistakes. Water and Liverpools need a clear approach and an exit that does not fire the horse into a wall. Read understanding combination fences and Liverpool and water tips.

5. Jump-offs should still be rideable

A jump-off that only rewards recklessness fails the welfare test. Keep options and fair turns — how to design a jump-off.

Warm-up and the course you never drew

Welfare fails in the collecting ring as often as in the main arena:

Enough space and poles for the class size
Clear warm-up etiquette posted
Shorter warm-ups in heat — heat stress guide
Sensible warm-up routines

Building what you designed

A beautiful plan that cannot be built accurately still hurts horses. Number fences clearly (how to number a course), export a builder plan from the designer, and walk the track after the build — not only on the tablet.

Social licence: what clubs can publish

Without inventing statistics, clubs can show process:

“Courses validated against BS / FEI tables before print”
“Builder and athlete plans issued from the same design file”
“Heat policy and biosecurity note with entries” — see biosecurity checklist

Transparency is part of welfare culture.

How software helps (and where it does not)

Digital course design helps you:

Keep true-to-scale arenas and distances
Catch illegal heights/spreads early
Share read-only plans so fewer people “adjust” poles by eye
Preview flow in 3D before poles move (Pro)

It does not replace walking the track, knowing your horses, or following the official rulebook. Use tools like YardForge’s course design software as a precision layer, not an autopilot.

Practical welfare checklist for designers

[ ] Standard set (FEI / BS / other) before fence one
[ ] Progressive difficulty
[ ] Combinations legal and fair for the level
[ ] No unnecessary traps at the gate or wall
[ ] Jump-off still rideable
[ ] Plan exported for builder and athletes
[ ] Track walked after build

Bottom line

Fair questions make better sport. In 2026, that is a competitive standard and a welfare standard. Design the line, respect the distances, validate the rules, and walk what you built.

Open the free course designer and build a track you would be happy to ride on a green horse — then raise the questions only as the class level allows.