Training 30-minute schooling plans
Top show riders Amy and Vikki Smith have also been successful showjumpers and in this, the third part of their series, they use their jumping experience to improve their working hunter horses’ and ponies’ performance.
Words: Suzy Stephens; Photos: Lizzy Mint Photography
Ensure you jump each fence in the middle to practise straightness The models
Vikki and Amy demonstrated each of the exercises on their ponies.
Laburnum Richard AKA Pedro Gelding Age 12 Sire; Rynn Richard
JP Corbally AKA JP Gelding Age 8
Sire; Linsford Barney
By ‘getting there’ she means that unless you are moving forward in either trot or canter, you won’t be able to jump the fence when you get to it. Sitting, holding and waiting will not result in a good jump, so here are a couple of exercises to help build confidence and establish a better jumping rhythm.
Keep it simple
Start by placing a ground pole in front of a small cross pole. The ground pole should be approximately 2.5m from the cross pole, but this will depend on your horse.
right stride to a fence, but Vikki explains that the one sentence that has stuck with her for many years is ‘first you have to get there’, and this is still the line she encourages people to think about today.
M
any people get worried about jumping and overthink getting the
Establish a good, forward trot rhythm and ride to the ground pole. Keeping your legs on, allow your horse to make his way over the pole and then the fence. Repeat this exercise a couple of times and once established, add in another cross-pole jump at a bounce distance 2.7 - 3.6m*.
Never rush your horse, but also don’t allow him to hesitate
Put up a bounce fence consisting of two cross poles
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