What do they mean when jockeys call a horse Scopey?

The dictionary definition of scope among many is extent or range. When riders talk about a horse’s reach, they are referring to the animal’s ability to jump fences with ease. A horse that jumps with little effort and infinite power is considered “reach”.

Reach is a very valuable commodity in the world of show jumping. Riders and trainers are constantly looking for animals that can easily jump over the biggest obstacles. The largest classes reach heights over 1.60m and reach becomes an absolute must for success. Horses with tremendous range are few and far between, demanding large sums of money to purchase. The great equine athlete who has this jumping power is just as hard to come by as a great human athlete. Michael Jordan was ambiguous. Authentic, Beezie Madden’s Olympic saddle, was spectacular.

So does that mean that horses that don’t jump the grand prix sized jumps never have range? No, horses can be measured by their relative divisions. You may have a 3′ 6″ freshman green chaser with reach that can move up to regular working chasers (4′). You may have a reachable boy jumper that may or may not move up in height, but is scopey in that division, everything is relative.

Range, however, is not all you need for a good jumper. You also need a horse that is careful. A careful horse is one that wants to jump clean, and not hit the jumps. If you have reach without being careful, you don’t have as much. On the other hand, if you do not have scope with your care, you have nothing at all.