Training
Lou Roper presents the right hand, push away, back through gate. Follow his steps and have a go! Photography by Annie Haresign
GATE THE COMPLEX I
t’s great to introduce to you my new series on advanced trail. If you followed my previous set of articles you will be up to speed with the trail course basics and ready to take your training further by introducing more intricate turns, back through obstacles and complex pole work.
Before we go any further I have to assume that you can back up and side pass your horse calmly, quietly and easily. You also need to be able to jog and lope your horse in an even rhythm and tempo. If you can’t, then you need to practise these basics or you may find the featured obstacles too challenging or frustrating. I find with my students that if they’re not sure if their foundation movements are right, then ‘Trail’ will highlight the problem areas! This is one of the reasons why I love trail so much; it really proves to the rider how strong or how weak his control and communication with the horse is. A well trained horse will move easily off the leg, respond softly to the hand and be happy to work with his
rider.It doesn’t matter what you do with your horse, whether it’s pleasure riding, reining or dressage, including trail
obstacles in your regular training will help you assess your progress. I always encourage my students to test their abilities and communication skills with trail obstacles, even if they’re more into reining. By slowing down their horse and their minds, and challenging themselves to more advanced obstacles they more often than not find that there’s something they can do a little bit better.
RIGHT HAND, PUSH AWAY, BACK THROUGH GATE So let’s get started with this gate. We’ve done this obstacle before but this time we’ll do the right hand, push away, back through gate. It’s a little more complicated and there are a number of problems that you might encounter, but this is a typical version of the gate obstacle you’ll encounter in the show pen at the advanced level in trail classes.
Remember to take this obstacle bit by bit. Don’t rush it and leave enough room for your horse to manoeuvre through the gate. Practise your basics before attempting the gate and with enough repetition I know you’ll be working this combination with ease.
LOU ROPER California based horseman Lou Roper has been working in the equestrian industry for more than 40 years. The
Roper Ranch is a family run business where Lou offers lessons, clinics and has more than 60 horses in training. Lou’s reputation was gained in the show ring in all western disciplines but in particular trail where he has had over 10,000 starts and won 25 National Championship titles. Lou has produced trail champions from all breeds of horse and is keen to share his vast knowledge and
experience so that his students can develop a passion for trail and gain success in the show ring no matter their age, ability or riding experience. Visit
www.roperranch.com
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May/June 2012
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