What is a related distance in a jumper course?

A related distance in a jumper course is any distance between two fences that is close enough that the number of strides taken between them is not freely chosen by the rider but is largely determined by where the horse lands after the first fence and how many strides it takes to reach the second fence — typically fences set between one and five strides apart. Related distances include in-and-out combinations, where the fences are one or two strides apart, through longer related distances of three, four, or five strides where the horse and rider have some flexibility but the distance between the fences still meaningfully constrains the number of strides available. Understanding related distances is one of the most important course walking skills because the distance set between related fences directly determines how the rider should approach the first fence and what pace and stride length will produce the correct number of strides to the second fence. A related distance set on a normal, comfortable number of strides — typically using the standard twelve-foot canter stride as the measurement unit — will ride correctly for a horse moving at normal working pace. A related distance set short — with slightly fewer feet than a standard normal distance — requires the rider to meet the first fence quietly and compress the strides between fences, arriving at the second fence on the correct number but at a shorter, rounder stride. A related distance set long — with more feet than a standard normal distance — requires the rider to meet the first fence forward and maintain pace between fences, arriving at the second fence on the correct number but at a longer, more forward stride. Miscalculating the distance during the course walk and riding the wrong pace to a related distance produces one of the most common jumping errors: arriving at the second fence with a half or extra stride that forces an awkward takeoff.