Rhythm of the gait

Exercise to transition between flat work and jumping

Droits d'accès:

Abonné

Image Miniature:

Résumé listing:

The exercise set-up encourages the rider to pay close attention to all the parameters required for a clear round.

Mots clés:

cavalettis

jumping exercise

flat work

control when jumping

control in the approach

Rhythm of the gait

steadiness of the canter

REF HAE30

Niveau de difficulté:

Débutant

Goal:

This exercise will help you overcome the technical difficulties of a course without straining your horse. It can be practised by riders of all levels and will help you gain correct habits: a symmetrical position, a straight horse in the approach and landing, follow a precise track in the turns and on straight lines, get ready and anticipate each action, keep a steady rhythm.

Progress:

They start the session with some trot work. It is recommended for less experimented riders or horses to pratise it first at a walk. It would allow the horse to discover the set up and not be surprised.

Charlotte doesn’t have any problem performing the exercise as long as she stays mentally concentrated and focused on her position. However, as soon as she glances down, even for a fraction of a second, she loses her focus and position. The response is immediate: the horse gets out of the track, modifies his rhythm or even steps on the flexy jumps. The rider needs to control the situation at any moment in her position but also in her mind.

It will help Charlotte find a good balance between too much control at the canter and a horse who gets above the bit and rushes. The goal is to obtain a steady cadence throughout the exercise especially before and after the flexy-jumps.

Once again, we can notice the importance of anticipating and preparing for each action to be successful throughout the exercise.

Théma:

RIDING LESSONS

Exercises

Cours associés

Cours associés:

Guiding the horse’s shoulders on a precise track

Training on a dressage figure

Training on a succession of jumps

Preliminary course training

Training for competition with a course of cavalettis

Improving the rider’s jumping position

Miniature cours associés:

Training on a succession of jumps

Droits d'accès:

Abonné

Image Miniature:

Résumé listing:

One of the keys to a successful course is to be ready for everything at all time: jump, turn, stop, slow down, or speed up…
Michel sets up a small course that is really effective at getting the rider be in control of her position, her mind, and of course her horse.

Niveau de difficulté:

Intermédiaire

Goal:

Through various exercises over ground poles and cavalettis, we worked on controlling the horse, improving the quality of the approaches, keeping the control upon landings, changing leads, choosing the correct speed, and staying on a precise track….Now, we are going to test the rider’s ability to master all these elements that are crucial for a successful course with higher fences.

Michel sets up a short course that requires the rider to stay in control of her position, her mind, and of course, her horse.

In Michel’s opinion, one of the key elements to a successful approach is to be ready for any possible action: to jump, stop, slow down or speed up…Usually, two to three strides away from the jump, riders are already in the position of jumping with their shoulders forward, their eyes fixing the fence. Horses take advantage of this to get away with the rider’s control, or to rush, or even run out. This exercise is a good way to train the horse and rider to stay alert and responsive from landing from one fence to the take of stride of the next one.

Progress:

For this new lesson, Michel teaches Marine riding Vivaldi, a stallion owned by the “Haras de Hus”. The set-up consists of six vertical fences. For inexperienced horses and riders, the exercise can be first practised over ground poles or cavalettis.

Marine jumps the course perfectly thanks to Michel’s advice regarding the rhythm and her position in the turns.

There is no distance requirement for this course as it should be adapted to the size of your ring and /or the level of experience of the rider and the horse.

However, in this video, the distance between verticals is of 23 meters.

Théma:

Keywords:

Approach of the fence

Control of the canter

Control of the speed