Horses of Hoofprint Bay Medium Competition: How to Win It
How to win the Horses of Hoofprint Bay medium competition: the horse you need, jump timing for verticals, oxers and water, saving strength and setting assists.
The Horses of Hoofprint Bay medium competition is the show jumping class that stopped many demo players: their horses ran out of strength halfway round, or the clock beat them. Winning the Horses of Hoofprint Bay medium competition takes a strong enough horse, jump timing that changes with each obstacle, and careful use of strength. This guide collects what players worked out and what changed for the full game.
The class matters because you can't skip levels. A demo review on The Bridle Paths explains that you can't move from one level to the next without placing or winning in your current class, and placing in the top three earns prize money, according to the in-game money tips. The official Horses of Hoofprint Bay store page on Steam describes tournaments in the nearby town as part of growing your yard.
Why the Medium Competition Is So Hard
The best-known thread about it on the official Steam forum dates from the February 2026 demo. The player who started it named two problems: the horse's strength kept running out even when cantering, and there was too little time. Other players agreed; several never won it in the demo.
| Problem | What players said |
|---|---|
| Strength runs out | Strength drains faster if the horse's endurance (resistance) is low |
| Too little time | Saving strength by cantering makes you slow; you need to use up most of it by the end |
| Jump timing | Single, double and water jumps each need different timing |
| Controls | The February demo used W to jump, which confused players used to Space |
The control problem has been fixed since: the v0.1.10 to v0.1.12 demo patch notes made Space the default jump key, and players pointed out that you can rebind keys in the settings. For the general scoring rules (4 penalties per knocked jump or refusal, 1 penalty per 4 seconds over time), see our Horses of Hoofprint Bay competitions guide.
The Horse You Need for the Horses of Hoofprint Bay Medium Competition
This is where the demo and the full game differ most.
In the February demo, players disagreed. One player beat the medium class after three saves and advised selling the starter horse to buy one with at least 85/85 stats. Two other players won with a fully trained starter horse but called it harder and said it took practice and luck.
For the full game, the developers changed the balance. The May 2026 dev update says starter horses now begin with much lower stats, so that breeding horses with perfect stats becomes a long-term goal, and that the first show jumping competition is no longer in the ability range of a fully trained starter horse. Caprilli tests were added as the new starting point. The October 2026 demo announcement repeats that you start with a horse with much lower stats.
| Version | Starter horse in show jumping |
|---|---|
| February 2026 demo | Some players won the medium class with a fully trained starter horse |
| Full game (after the May 2026 rebalance) | Not strong enough even for the first show jumping competition, according to the developers |
So in the full game, plan on a better horse for the medium class: buy one from the breeder, or breed one. Our Horses of Hoofprint Bay how to buy horses guide explains where to find them.
Jump Timing by Obstacle
Players on the official Steam forum shared consistent advice on how each obstacle wants to be ridden:
| Obstacle | What it needs | Players' advice |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical | Height | Jump slower and closer to the obstacle |
| Oxer (two poles) | Width | Jump earlier to carry the momentum across |
| Water jump | The most width | Speed up, but still get quite close before you jump |
Speed changes the take-off point too. One player noticed that in canter you need to be pretty close to an obstacle, while in gallop you jump a bit farther away. Another player's rule of thumb at a canter was to take off at a distance roughly equal to the jump's height. Several players learned the timings in training first, and one upgraded the practice ring to work on them.
Saving Strength and Beating the Clock
Strength and time pull in opposite directions, and the medium class asks you to manage both. Players' advice from the demo thread:
- Have the horse fully trained before entering.
- Canter over most of the fences to save strength.
- Use up most of the strength by the end of the course, or your time will be too slow.
- Don't exhaust the horse too early; you have to get speed, strength and timing right at once.
The in-game training text gives the reason to watch the bar: if the strength bar runs out, the horse refuses the jump. A confident horse also helps; one player noted that a really confident, obedient horse that doesn't change tempo by itself makes the whole course easier. Our Horses of Hoofprint Bay training guide covers building strength, endurance and confidence.
Settings That Help
If timing is the problem, the game offers help:
| Assist | What it does | Notes from players |
|---|---|---|
| Jump-off indicators | Show where to take off | One player said they only appear in training rides, not in competitions; another said to press Space when the front hooves reach the cones |
| Auto-jump | Jumps for you | Your pace still has to be right: slower for high jumps, faster for the wide water jump |
| Key rebinding | Change the jump key | Space is the default since the v0.1.10 to v0.1.12 patch |
The developer's official FAQ on the Steam forum also recommends auto-jump for players who struggle with jumping, alongside the difficulty settings. Maria, the retired competition rider added in the August 2026 dev update, gives specific tips for jumping when you practice, according to a player on the forum.
Horses of Hoofprint Bay Medium Competition FAQ
Can I win the Horses of Hoofprint Bay medium competition with my starter horse?
In the February 2026 demo some players did, with a fully trained starter horse. For the full game, the developers say a fully trained starter horse is no longer strong enough even for the first show jumping competition.
Why does my horse run out of strength?
Players report that strength drains faster when endurance is low, and that galloping uses it up. Canter over most fences and spend the rest near the end of the course.
How should I time the water jump?
Players advise more speed for the water jump because it is the widest, but you still need to get quite close before jumping.
Does auto-jump make it easy?
Not entirely. Players note that you still have to ride the right pace for each obstacle and manage the clock and the horse's strength.
Related Guides
Competitions: Rules, Scoring, Entry
Horses of Hoofprint Bay competitions explained: Caprilli, show jumping and cross country rules, penalties, licenses, the trailer, show clothing and prize money.
Lessons: Corrections, Keys and Pay
Horses of Hoofprint Bay lessons explained: good rider posture, the three levels, correction keys, player tips for passing, pay, and staff such as Julia.
Training: Stats, Courses, Exercise
Horses of Hoofprint Bay training guide: what strength, endurance and confidence do, how potential caps them, exercise and exhaustion, and why horses lose stats.