Intermédiaire

This is the perfect grid exercise to increase the level of confidence of green horses and to improve their technique, as well as the technique and confidence of the less seasoned riders.
The height and distances have been set up to approach each fence on a related distance in such a way that the rider should not have to influence the horse to get the correct spot. However, the canter rhythm should be consistent, and the length of the canter stride should be adapted to the exercise well before getting into the grid. The first part of the session was to implement these conditions before training on the grid. To view this part, click here.
Nothing better than a preliminary phase of jumping small individual fences, to realise how much it helps in setting a steady canter and getting the horse to focus on the jump. It’s of upmost importance if you are training a young/green horse who needs to improve his technique and mental state over fences.

A good training for combinations
The rider must get used to keeping his horse in the “corridor,” meaning on his 4 feet and perpendicular to the obstacle to prevent any drift away from the centre. The rider has to mind his position and learn to be flexible and light in order to the follow the motion of the horse over fences.

This jumping exercise is being shown here with a young horse
We specified that the exercise is very helpful for a green or young horse or an inexperienced rider, but however, it has to be either one or the other. Either the horse or the rider has to be experienced. It is not recommended to train a green horse on this exercise with a beginner rider. Thus, if you are an inexperienced rider, it will be helpful to practise this exercise on a well-seasoned jumper. As for a green horse, it will be beneficial only if he is ridden by an advanced rider who will be able to help the horse improve in his technique and gain confidence.
In this session, Doudou, a 5 year old gelding, is trained by Lorenzo an advanced rider, used to train green horses. The couple performs well over the grid, however, Michel’s advice is shown to be very helpful to help Lorenzo in dealing with the hot temperament of his horse who is trying to rush a bit too much to the fence.

This exercise is linked to the sheet L28 of the Pocket’Jump 2

In the previous exercise, we learned how to transition from one gait to another with a rider able to stay in the rhythm and flow of motion of her horse. To do so, we know how important it is that the rider minds the physical and mental priorities such as planning the track ahead of time and keeping a centred position, to name a few. The previous practice at the slower gaits enabled the rider to develop good reflexes and made her and the horse accustomed to this exercise set-up.
The second phase of the exercise consists of practising transitions within the canter, meaning to go from a shorter canter stride to a longer canter stride, and vice versa. We know that the ability to modify the length of the canter stride is essential to adapt to the requirement of a jumping course. This allows the rider to get a related distance, to increase the length of the stride to gain some time during a jump-off, or even to decrease the stride to gain more pushing power. There is so much to work on quietly at home before heading to a horse show.
For the horse, just the act of stretching, opening and shortening his body like an accordion is an excellent workout to increase the flexibility of his top line.
Once again you will be successful with this exercise only if your aids are as discrete as possible. Behaviours such as getting agitated, pulling or pushing, or even reacting abruptly are to be banned. We are seeking a well-planned and prepared exercise with fluidity in the transition and going over the ground poles.

This exercise is linked to the sheet CA4 of the booklet Training program 1

This comprehensive exercise is excellent to get riders to be disciplined in their position, their track and to plan ahead of time while following the forward movement yet controlling the speed.  This last point will be the main goal of this first step of the exercise. The ability of the rider to control the speed of the horse while following the horse’s motion is crucial to be successful in most disciplines (jumping course, dressage test…). The main mistake we see, is when riders ask for a transition but then, freeze their request which results in horses who can’t understand them and become defensive:  Getting above the bit, speeding up, refusing, bursting forward, bucking…

The goal of this session is to gain good reflexes resulting in smooth transitions in harmony with the cadence of the horse for each gait.

This exercise is linked to the sheet CA3 of the booklet Training program 1

The priority of this exercise, is the fineness of the aids. The goal is to obtain results with a minimum of hand aid and a horse who comprehends the request correctly.
To get there, it implies that riders are able to stay centred in their position and to use their legs independently from one another. This exercise is about releasing the right side of the rider then the left side and so on…. It will be easy to realise that any stiffness, especially in the shoulders and arms, will jeopardize the success of the exercise. Therefore, being able to use the aids independently is as decisive as being able to use the legs without deteriorating the position.

 The exercise is to be done at the 3 gaits knowing that it is critical to get the horse to understand the exercise and to create good reflexes at the slower gaits. This exercise can be practised at a canter which can also be challenging. It’s important to take the time to do it properly and not hesitate to divide this training over several sessions.

This exercise is linked to the sheet A6 of the Training program 1

This second step of the exercise increases the level of difficulty as we add some cavalettis on the track. It’s an excellent transition from the flat work to the jumping work. The previous session helped setting the horse and rider’s straightness, calm and steadiness in the canter. The requirements stay the same when approaching or landing a cavalettis. If the rider was not successful in the previous exercise, it is advised to keep practising it on the flat before introducing the cavalettis. Sometimes, just to add some ground poles can be sufficient to disturb the rider’s serenity. If the rider starts looking down, he/she will disturb his/her balance forward. If the rider gets unbalanced, he/she can’t follow the motion of his/her horse. It leads the horse to break his cadence and become less precise in his direction or even to get over the bit. As we have already mentioned, this situation is generated by a rider who is worried.

This exercise from Michel, is an excellent way to keep the rider’s mind focused, serein, and aware of each of his action. Selene starts the exercise at a canter but according to the level the rider and the experience of the horse, it may be necessary to practise first at a trot a few times with some ground poles.

This exercise is linked to sheet T3 of the program Training 1

This exercise is a very effective way to improve the ability of the rider to stay centred and straight in his/her position and to keep the horse perfectly symmetrical with an even support on his 4 feet. The first part of this session is about flat work to get the horse and rider in a good disposition without the complication of dealing with a jump yet.

The simple fact of alternating between turns and straight lines, with some flexi-jump as guiding rails, is indeed difficult for a majority of riders. Most of the time, horses are zigzagging on the straight lines and are losing the impulsion in the turns. This exercise will be successful only if the rider is able to anticipate and get prepared for each part of the path while staying focused on his/her position. Any shift in the rider’s position compared to the median of the horse, can lead to a shift of the horse on the course.
Michel goes through all the key elements to be successful with this exercise in order to obtain a horse in a steady canter with a steady pushing power on a steady track.

This exercise is linked to sheet T2 of the program Training 1

his second part of the exercise is quite difficult and can be achieved only if both the rider and horse master it at the walk and the trot. This is the reason why the rider has to take his time to practise the exercise and can practise it over several sessions. To be successful practising the exercise at a canter, the horse needs to be available and the rider needs to anticipate and plan ahead correctly.  The goal is to keep some light and discreet aids. Therefore if the rider has to flail, twist himself, pull or push, or even if he needs to use strength, there is no point in practising this exercise yet. So it is necessary to achieve one step at a time at the lower gaits before trying it at the canter.

This exercise is linked to the sheet A7 of the Training Program 1

We know that horses and riders are all, more or less, asymmetrical: more supple to the right, stiffer to the left for example. It is important to be aware of it as it can affect the correct execution of a movement such as the accuracy of the track. The rider has to aim for a symmetric position and some symmetric aids to avoid confusing and misusing the horse. This is what Michel’s new exercise is intended for. The set-up is extremely easy but it proves to be very effective to challenge the rider’s ability to keep his horse on a precise track. The goal is to direct the horse with almost no hand aid, but simply with the position and a few discrete leg influence. To successfully execute this exercise, the rider has to be able to plan ahead each phase of this exercise.

This exercise is linked to the sheet A7 of the Training Program 1

The goal of this exercise is to control the horse’s shoulders and haunches on a grid while staying in the same canter rhythm throughout the set-up. The slight curve of the track makes it a bit more challenging as any drift towards the inside or outside of the curve will modify the distance between the fences compromising the steadiness of the canter.
The key, to be successful, lies in the rider’s aides which should stay light and discreet and surely not strong and restrictive as many riders would be tented to use.
Michel emphasizes on the importance of keeping the horse bent to the inside to improve the correctness of his motion and the use of his top-line.

This exercise is shown on the sheet OBS6 of the Training program 1

The rider can only stay in control of his position, no matter the situation, by learning to control his mind. This is the goal of the exercise in this session. A very easy to set-up exercise proven to be effective in getting the horse and rider to stay alert mentally and physically for whatever situation that could arise.

When a rider needs to slow down or speed up, turn, or approach a jump, he tends to change his position: he leans to the left to turn left, moves the shoulders forward to anticipate a jump, pushes his seat back to speed up….However, all those changes in the position are working against the correct rider’s seat and horse’s movements. It is a real handicap as the rider gets into a position where he cannot ready himself for the next step in an effective manner. This kind of situation will lead the rider to take inappropriate actions in order to make the situation better. These changes will lead the horse to a lack of understanding and some physical disruption.
As Michel likes to remind us: “If you are ready for a movement, you should also be ready for the opposite: going to the right or to the left, going faster or slower…” The rider has to be aware that the horse is the one who executes the movement and not the other way around. Hence the convenience of staying centred in the position of reference whatever the movement to execute.

One more time, the rider will only be able to control his position no matter what happens by learning how to control his mind.

This is what Michel explores in this exercise which is not only easy to set up, but also proven to be really effective in getting the rider to stay available mentally and physically and ready for everything.

This exercise is shown on the sheet M5 of the Training program 1