Horses of Hoofprint Bay medium competition: How to Win the M-Level Show Jumping Class

What Is the Horses of Hoofprint Bay Medium Competition?

The Horses of Hoofprint Bay medium competition is the show jumping class players consistently call the game's first real wall. Show jumping is currently the only discipline in this hand-drawn 2D barn-building game from Thogli Studios, and competitions take place in town, where you pay an entry fee and ride a timed course for prize money. You cannot leapfrog tiers, either: you must place or win at your current level before the next class opens up, as explained in The Bridle Paths' demo review.

The medium (M-level) course is where timing stops being forgiving. It mixes verticals, oxers, doubles, and a water fence, and players on the official Steam forums widely report that winning it — let alone reaching the podium — takes practice, a fully trained horse, or both.

How to Unlock and Qualify for the Medium Class

Before you can even enter a competition, several prerequisites must be in place. Use this checklist:

Beyond the paperwork, your horse's condition matters just as much as its stats. Watch the exercise bar: ride past the red marker and your horse will be exhausted the next day. Low confidence also causes refusals, because an unsure horse responds slowly to your aids and may stop dead in front of a fence. Successful training sessions, treats, and consistent daily care all build confidence, which Pinehaven's full demo playthrough demonstrates when Buttercup suddenly starts refusing mid-course after several stressful training days.

Jump-by-Jump Timing: Why Verticals, Oxers, and Water Fences Differ

The single biggest breakthrough for most players is realizing the medium course is not one rhythm — every jump type asks for a different takeoff. Steam players who finally beat the M-level class break it down like this:

A few supporting habits make these timings stick:

• Pay attention to takeoff and landing. One player's fix was simply noting where the horse was when they pressed jump and where it landed, then adjusting the next attempt.
• Canter most of the course. Galloping everywhere drains strength fast, especially if endurance is low. Save speed for the straights where you need to make the time.
• Spend your strength by the finish. Hoarding it leaves your time too slow; a clean, committed round uses nearly the whole bar.
• Upgrade your practice arena. Repeating the timing work at home on the same jump types is how several players finally strung a clean M-level round together.

Starter Horse vs. Buying an 85/85 Horse

The community is split on the fastest route to the medium podium, and both paths are legitimate. Every horse has a set potential that caps its competition ceiling, and the review notes your starter mare cannot reach high enough mastery to win the medium level on stats alone — which is why timing and luck matter so much if you stick with her.

One Steam player needed three saves before finally beating the medium podium, and points out that the 25-day demo limit is far too short to breed your way to a better foal — buying is realistically the only way to "finish" the competition ladder inside the demo. If you go this route, fund the purchase early by stacking boarding requests, giving riding lessons, and placing consistently in the low class rather than wasting entry fees on M-level attempts your horse cannot yet win.

Settings, Practice, and Assist Tips That Make Winning Easier

Small quality-of-life fixes remove a surprising amount of friction from the medium competition:

• Remap your jump key. The default jump button on horseback is W, while spacebar switches trail routes — a combo many players find awkward. You can change every binding in the settings menu, and remapping jump to spacebar was one player's first edit.
• Toggle the jump-assist cones. Small cones at the front of each jump show the ideal takeoff point. The game may even offer to enable them after repeated missed jumps. They work in training, but they disappear during real competitions, so use them to learn distances, not as a crutch.
• Manage fatigue between attempts. Ending the day early rather than over-riding a tired horse means you enter the competition fresh instead of exhausted.
• Use lessons to fund retries. Giving lessons lowers your lesson horse's fitness, so keep training lesson horses too — or spread work across your herd so your competitor stays sharp.

FAQ: Horses of Hoofprint Bay Medium Competition

Why does my horse keep refusing at the medium competition? Low confidence is the usual culprit. An unsure horse reacts late to your aids and stalls at fences, especially spooky spots. Build confidence through successful training, treats, and careful day-to-day care, and avoid entering exhausted.

What stats do I need to win the medium competition? The license benchmark is 60 strength and 40 endurance, but for a genuine shot at the M-level podium, players recommend a horse trained to its full potential or a purchased horse with at least 85/85 stats.

Can you win the medium competition with the starter horse? Yes. Multiple Steam players have done it with a fully trained starter, but it requires mastering each jump type's timing, cantering most of the course to preserve strength, and a clean round with zero penalties.

How many competitions can I enter per day? One. You pay an entry fee each time, so failed attempts get expensive fast — another reason to practice at home first.

Is the medium competition available in the free demo? Yes. The demo runs through day 25 and includes competitions up through the medium level, though the championship goal is reserved for the full release.

Where do I find more help if I'm stuck? The Steam community discussion on the medium competition is the best single thread of player-tested advice, and the official gamescom listing summarizes the training and confidence systems behind it.