Taking your horse or pony around a course of showjumps is a fun experience for both of you, whether you are already competition standard, or tackling your very first course. It is also a mental and physical challenge, and as with anything, a little practice and preparation will go a long way. Here are some tips to help you on the way to a clear round!
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Don’t skip the warm up
Just as you wouldn’t launch straight into a high-energy aerobics class without doing a few stretches first, your horse needs to warm up to loosen up his muscles and joints. It’s also an opportunity to make sure that he’s listening to you and is responsive to your aids, which will help you steer a more controlled and accurate course.
Practise some transitions and turns, focusing on moving forwards with impulsion and moving calmly back down to a slower pace without any resistance.
Start with pole work
Trotting poles will help your horse maintain a steady balance and rhythm. Practice trotting in a straight line over three to five poles, gradually increasing the distance between them if your horse has a short stride to encourage him to lengthen. If your horse is excitable, practising ground poles will teach him not to rush at jumps, look where he’s going, and stay collected.
Progress onto canter poles, again adjusting the length between the poles if your horse needs to lengthen his stride. You can also place the poles on a 20 metre circle, which will require shorter strides and help your horse to adjust his pace without losing balance and rhythm.
Progress to gridwork
Once your horse is happy trotting and cantering over poles, set up two or three small jumps in a row at an appropriate distance apart for your horse. Practice cantering through the grid in a consistent rhythm, remembering to sit up and rebalance between each one. Make sure that your horse is moving forward with collected impulsion as you approach the jumps.
If you approach with too little energy, your horse will make a flat shallow jump and struggle to collect himself before the next takeoff. On the other hand, if you approach too fast you will not have enough control to balance your horse in between the jumps. If you are unhappy with your approach, circle away and try again rather than risk getting tangled up in the poles.
Progress to jumping off a circle
When riding a course of jumps you will need to learn how to approach from a variety of angles. Place two or three jumps on a circle at opposite sides of the arena, and practice striding accurately between each jump. Gradually increase the size of the jumps as you and your horse become more comfortable and confident.
Soon you will be well on your way to tackling a whole course with style.
