Collected Canter
Canter Circle
Low and Deep
You need an effective, deep and independent seat for jumping as well as for flatwork. If you can’t cope with sitting trot, how are you going to stay secure and in balance with the horse over a fence? So, the more you practise the better and the more secure your position will be across all disciplines.
After around 10 to 15 minutes of trot and canter work, I would bring the horse back to walk, to re-establish the horse’s balance and engagement. When this is achieved, go back to working on other paces or a specific problem you may be having.
A common problem in canter can be horses struggling to achieve a short, collected canter, which is important to accomplish on the flat, so you can use it in the jumping phases.
Try to concentrate on getting your horse to shorten his stride, whilst
making sure the horse maintains his energy to lift and carry himself forward. Cantering in small circles will encourage the horse to sit on the inside hind leg; this engages the hindquarters and will help shorten the stride without sacrificing the impulsion that must be contained within the shorter stride.
As the canter improves, it will help your horse’s jumping. If you are coming to a combination with a short distance you will need to keep a short canter but with enough energy and power to ensure you clear the fences.
Practising a collected pace of canter will help the horse to learn to create a big jump from this pace, as the shortened stride will maintain the power and energy. This is much better than your horse relying on sheer pace to give him the power to clear fences, which can be dangerous.
Remember... During training sessions, your horse should give you his full attention. Horses should not be distracted by anything; they need to learn that once you are on their backs, they listen to you. Your horse must keep his attention on what you are telling him to do, regardless of what is going on around him. Teaching your horse this means when you are at an event your chances of winning won’t be spoiled because your horse is distracted by a spectator waving an umbrella or a car door slamming. This is also as important in the jumping phases; the horse must listen to the rider and be focussed on the approaching fence, not on a judge’s car or banner at the side of the jump.
Preparation and practice will help you on the route to success, but these must be backed up with discipline and the knowledge to carry you all the way to the top. I
am fiercely competitive, so have to maintain a huge amount of self discipline in striving to achieve a better performance from myself and my horses.
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www.equestrianlifemagazine.co.uk 17
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