Creating a well-structured yearly training plan is crucial for a horse’s physiological adaptation and for them to perform at their peak for important competitions. Simultaneously, the appropriate scheduling of rest and therapeutic interventions significantly reduces the risk of injury. This guide will provide helpful tips on developing a yearly training program to maximize your horse’s potential.
A yearly training program serves two primary purposes:
- Maintaining Focus: In the day-to-day operations of a busy stable, it’s easy to get sidetracked by immediate issues and lose sight of overarching goals. A concrete plan allows trainers to monitor a horse’s progress and ensure they remain on track.
- Performance Analysis: At the year’s end, the plan facilitates reflection on what training strategies were effective and which were not. By comparing periods of strong performance with the training plan, trainers can identify successful exercise combinations. Conversely, underperforming periods can be analyzed to understand the training’s impact, allowing for the removal of ineffective practices from future plans.
It’s important to remember that this plan is a roadmap, not a rigid set of instructions. Roadblocks like minor injuries or canceled competitions are inevitable. The best trainers identify these challenges early and adapt the plan to keep the horse progressing toward its ultimate goals.
Step 1: Goal Setting
The foundational step in creating your yearly plan is to define the goals for both the horse and rider. In show jumping, common goals can often overlap and include:
- Improvement: The primary aim is to provide the horse with appropriate training stimuli and competition exposure to foster mental, physiological, and biomechanical development for future major competitions.
- Enjoyment: The rider’s preferences dictate the plan, focusing on competing in enjoyable locations and at a stress-free level.
- Financial Gain: Balancing competitions that offer good prize money with minimizing operating costs is key.
- Point Accumulation: Many national and international ranking systems reward frequent competitors. If points are the goal, the yearly plan will likely include more competitions.
- Major Championships: These plans are meticulously designed to ensure the horse peaks for a few select events, with all other competitions serving as stepping stones.
Step 2: Competition Scheduling
With a clear goal established, the next step is to select competitions that align with that objective. For instance, a plan focused on peaking for a major championship will involve careful monitoring of the horse’s workload and include observation events to gauge its form.
An example of a competition schedule for a horse aiming for strong results at three key events—Wellington, USA in March, Calgary, CAN in June and July, and Toronto, CAN in November—is illustrated below.
Step 3: Incorporating Other Important Dates
It is also crucial to note any personal commitments that might affect competition schedules, such as holidays or significant personal events like weddings. Shaded blocks in a training calendar often indicate scheduled personal events.
Once these factors are considered, the horse’s location for the year can be mapped out. Scheduling regular veterinary visits as “check-ups” throughout the year is also a good practice to ensure any minor health issues are identified early.
Step 4: Choosing the Training Focus
The subsequent step involves determining the specific exercises and training methods to be incorporated into the schedule, aligned with competition objectives. This is often the most enjoyable yet challenging aspect of creating a yearly training plan. Trainers, drawing upon experience and scientific principles, select methods that will enable the horse to reach its potential at the desired times.
The year can be divided into “periods” reflecting the training stage. For a horse training to peak at three competitions, a “Preparation Phase” (P1) will precede each competition phase (C1), focusing on physical and mental conditioning. This preparation phase builds the athletic foundation necessary for the demands of the competition phase. Following competition, a brief “Transition Phase” (T1) allows for recovery before the cycle repeats for subsequent goals.
The types of exercises used, such as jumping, flatwork, longeing, and supplementary training, are critical. While a week might be designated for a specific type of exercise, it signifies at least one session of that activity, not daily engagement. The variations and intensity of these exercises will adapt throughout the year based on the horse’s needs. For example, early flatwork might focus on trotting hills, progressing to cantering as the competition phase approaches.
Four Types of Exercises
These exercises are categorized based on their relationship to competitive movements, adapted from Dr. Anatoliy Bondarchuk:
- General Preparatory Exercises: These are nonspecific and do not mimic competitive movements in form or physiological systems. They develop general physical qualities and coordination, useful for warm-ups, cool-downs, and building fitness in lower-level athletes. Examples include using a walker, treadmill, or relaxed trail rides.
- Specialized Preparatory Exercises: While not directly mimicking competitive patterns, these exercises engage similar muscle groups and stimulate body systems crucial for improving competitive performance. Examples include cantering or trotting with side reins on the longe, and leg-yields.
- Specialized Developmental Exercises: These exercises break down component parts of competitive movements, engaging the same muscle groups and activating similar body systems, often exceeding the demands of competition in specific conditions. Examples include bounce work, cavalettis, and small jump exercises.
- Competitive Exercises: These exercises precisely replicate competition movements and goals, used both in training and actual competitions. Examples include jumping full courses, gymnastics, and participating in competitions.
While certain exercises may predominate during specific periods, all types play a role in the horse’s overall athletic development throughout the year.
Step 5: Incorporating Rest
Crucially, the training program must include easier weeks to allow the horse’s body sufficient time to recover from demanding periods. The optimal work/rest ratio in horses is still being researched, making this decision dependent on the trainer, rider, and support staff. Early identification and management of chronic fatigue by reducing workload are essential.
Final Comments
Developing a yearly training program requires customization based on the horse’s age, gender, experience, goals, and available facilities. This guide provides a starting point for planning, paving the way for more in-depth discussions on topics like transferring training to performance results, optimal peaking strategies, and constructing weekly and monthly training cycles.
A downloadable template is available to assist in getting started.
References
- Bompa TO, Haff GG (2009) Periodization: theory and methodology of training. Champagn IL: Human Kinetics
- Bondarchuk AP, yessis M (2007) Transfer of Training in Sports. MI: Ultimate Athletic Concepts
About the Author
Dr. Tim Worden, a sport scientist with a PhD in biomechanics, has collaborated with numerous FEI-level show jumping riders. He specializes in applying human high-performance training techniques to equine athletes.
