Many equestrians dream of making horse jumping look effortless, yet few achieve this seemingly magical grace. A common struggle observed among riders, from adults to young competitors, is the uneven pace and inconsistent performance over jumps. The root cause often lies in an overemphasis on finding or creating the “perfect distance,” leading to a loss of control and a nervous horse. This obsession with distance can result in abrupt, late decisions, making the horse stronger and more difficult to manage throughout a course.
Trainers sometimes employ elaborate counting methods, like audibly counting down strides, to assist anxious riders. However, this intense focus on predicting the exact moment of takeoff can be counterproductive. When riders, especially those with less experience, attempt to “tell” their horses when to jump, they often send mixed signals, leading to confusion and a “messy” performance. In many instances, experienced riders who allow their horses to manage the distances while maintaining their own balance and a consistent rhythm achieve better results.
The key to smoother, more controlled jumping lies in shifting priorities. Instead of fixating on the distance, riders should concentrate on establishing and maintaining a consistent, forward rhythm. This means ensuring the canter remains steady, neither slowing down nor speeding up, and maintaining the rider’s own balance. When the rider stays balanced and the rhythm is consistent, the distance becomes less of a concern, the horse remains happier, and the canter rhythm is preserved even on the backside of the jump. As the saying goes, “Jumping is flatwork with jumps in the way.”
Four Exercises to Improve Your Jumping
To help riders develop a better feel for rhythm and control over jumps, the following four exercises are recommended. These exercises focus on building confidence and consistency, allowing both horse and rider to develop a more intuitive partnership.
Exercise 1: Trot and Canter Through the Standards
This foundational exercise helps riders focus on straightness and rhythm without the added pressure of a jump.
- Setup: Set up a vertical jump with a ground pole in front and behind it. Alternatively, remove the poles, leaving only the two standards. Ensure there is at least four strides of canter on either side of the standards. The standards can also be arranged for a large circle or figure-eight pattern.
- Execution:
- Begin by establishing a forward, steady rhythm at a posting trot on a circle.
- Once comfortable, transition to a straight line through the center of the standards, focusing on maintaining a consistent trot rhythm, pace, and straightness with every step. This simulates the approach to a jump without the actual obstacle.
- Reverse directions and repeat the exercise.
- Transition to a relaxed, slow canter and adopt a modified two-point position, with heels directly under the hips and shoulders angled slightly forward.
- Canter in a circle, then ride a straight line through the standards, maintaining the canter rhythm, pace, and your two-point position. Reverse and repeat.
Exercise 2: Canter Over a Ground Pole
This exercise builds upon the previous one by introducing a ground pole, encouraging the rider to maintain rhythm and focus on the obstacle.
- Setup: Place a ground pole between the two standards used in Exercise 1.
- Execution:
- Establish the same canter rhythm from Exercise 1 and adopt the modified two-point position.
- Approach the ground pole, maintaining the canter’s rhythm, pace, and straightness. Focus on looking down at the pole to improve depth perception. As the horse visually acquires the pole, raise your eyes to a point at the end of the arena at eye level.
- Remain still and soft in your position, allowing the horse to canter over the pole. If the horse hops over it, follow their motion without jumping ahead.
- Turn around and repeat the exercise.
Exercise 3: Canter Over a Small Jump
This exercise progresses to a small vertical jump, reinforcing the importance of maintaining rhythm and position.
- Setup: Construct a small vertical jump between the standards, with a ground pole on either side.
- Execution:
- Establish a consistent canter rhythm, rise into your two-point position, and approach the fence. Focus on maintaining the rhythm and your position, without worrying about the distance. The horse can adjust its stride if the rider remains balanced.
- Look at the jump until the horse has sighted it, then raise your eyes to a point at eye level in the distance.
- Allow the horse to jump the fence naturally. By maintaining your position, you avoid interfering with the horse’s motion as it leaves the ground. Leaning forward prematurely can cause the horse to jump poorly.
- Turn around and repeat the exercise.
Exercise 4: Canter and Look Away From the Jump
This advanced exercise is designed for riders who tend to make unnecessary adjustments on the approach to a jump.
- Setup: Have a helper stand four strides on the landing side of the vertical from Exercise 3. As the rider approaches the fence, the helper will raise their hand.
- Execution:
- Adopt a balanced and relaxed canter, approaching the vertical as in Exercise 3. Maintain rhythm, pace, straightness, and your two-point position, making no adjustments to the horse’s stride.
- A few strides before the jump, look at your helper’s raised hand while maintaining your rhythm, pace, and track.
- Continue looking at the hand until you pass the helper.
- Gradually have the helper move to the side of the jump. At this stage, the jump will be almost out of your sight. Maintain your position and allow the horse to jump independently.
By consistently practicing these exercises, riders can develop a deeper understanding of how maintaining an even rhythm and staying still allows the horse to approach the jump more effectively. This approach leads to smoother jumps and an overall better performance. The key takeaway is that by focusing on rhythm and balance, and minimizing interference, the outcome of the jump is significantly improved, often feeling almost magical. Embrace the rhythm and ride with confidence!
About Holly Hugo-Vidal
Based out of Scott and Nancy Boggio’s Arbor Hill Farm in Canton, Georgia, Holly Hugo-Vidal maintains a busy schedule with her junior and adult riders, as well as giving clinics and judging. With her former husband, Victor Hugo-Vidal, she ran the successful show barn, Cedar Lodge Farm, in Stamford, Connecticut, learning from his ability to help anyone with a desire to accomplish his or her goals. Her next mentor was show jumper Rodney Jenkins, who provided her with lessons in reading horses and creating in them a desire to please. She is the author of the book Build Confidence Over Fences!
