preliminary training to jumping

This exercise is comprehensive and technical, which is among Michel’s favourite exercises.  It teaches the riders to be very meticulous in their position, the track they are on and the control of the speed.  It is a perfect exercise to practise the basics prior to a jumping session.  The goal is to program the horse and rider before jumping.

The set-up which consists of two ground flexi Jump poles, is really easy to realise and shows no risk for the riders and horses. That said, it will require a lots of focus and some preparation from the rider.  He/ she will have to comply with the requirements of a course, practising the flexions to the right and left, the approaches and landings, a certain number of strides between poles, the straightness, some flying change of leads, increasing and decreasing the speed….all that while keeping a light seat, to offer the freedom of movement to the horse. Quite a program.

This exercise is shown on the sheet G7 of the Training program 1

Michel rides Day Dreamer for the first time, and as it’s his practice when a new horse joins the yard, he starts by assessing the horse. Michel finds out the weaknesses and strengths of the horse by paying attention to the horse’s reactions when he varies his position. It will enable him to set some training goals. Regarding Day Dreamer, like the majority of horses, his weakness is some sensitivity in the withers and underneath the saddle. Michel explains the mind and body attitude to take on, in order to allow Day Dreamer to improve the motion of his top-line which will in turn release the points that are blocking the flow of energy.

Bringing a particular attention to the horses’ back has always been a priority for Michel. No exercise can be beneficial and successful if the horse moves in a wrong attitude. If the horse doesn’t use his back correctly, it’s illusive to expect him to be in self-carriage and to engage his rear legs. The rider’s priority should be to stretch the horse’s entire top line in order to improve the driving forces and to allow the energy to flow through as freely as possible, from the rear-end to the mouth with no blockages.