"Straightness" is something we often refer to in the dressage world. It is one of the 6 elements of the dressage Training Scale. If something is wrong (not due to injury or psychologically) it is due to a weak area in the scale.
Let's face it. We don't all bring our horses along like they do in the classical dressage world. Prix St. Georges level dressage tests aren't everyone's (realistic) goal, but jumping is something that is done by a fair amount of horses and riders alike. I am not a professional trainer, but I offer an explanation of my perceptions and experiences in this blog.
Forward
It's hard to make it off the ground with the proper momentum to actually jump. Obviously! But we forget so much when we're coming to a fence. In fact, we can forget everything and often do! Here is a short list of things that will help you successfully get you and your horse over that fence if you're drawing a blank:
1) Do whatever you have to do to get your horse in front of your leg.
Keep her/him going forward. Don't be "working too hard" because it will make your release over the jump less fluid which could in turn throw you both off balance. A little tap with the whip or kiss might do the trick--but make sure you don't flatten out and run with your nose out at the fence.
2) Make sure your horse is straight.
Sounds obvious, but having your horse truly straight will help set you up for a successful take off. A horse can't clear a jump if his/her body is not straight. Think about it: could you jump something well if you aren't completely facing what it is you have to jump?
This doesn't mean their head has to be straight. Bend your horse's neck to the inside and outside to keep their attention and self-balance. Remember they, too, can get focused on the fence just as much as you can and forget what they're supposed to do. It's up to the rider to keep both brains in check! If your horse is aware of where his/her feet are he will be able to jump practically anything.
3) Get onto the haunches.
A form of collection--MUCH easier said than done but an essential part of jumping, especially as you start going over higher fences. Bending your horse to the inside and outside, floating your reins in intervals and making sure your shoulders are back will help pull your horse underneath him/herself and be traveling uphill.
These 3 things (and there are certainly more) have helped improve my jumping as of late. I have a green 6YO Thoroughbred who is building his confidence jumping. So if you're riding a green horse or training, do the best you can and as my friend Sandhya Johnson says: enjoy the small victories!
I'm also a firm believer that the more risk you're willing/able to take the more you'll succeed in future endeavors. So be brave and have confidence in yourself and your horse. If your horse feels that you're nervous they will try to "save" you and perhaps refuse a jump or make a decision they're not prepared to make themselves, so be assertive and deliberate and leave the important decisions to yourself.
03 August 2010
01 August 2010
Hunters vs. Jumpers
There are many differences between these two disciplines than timed (jumpers) vs. untimed (hunters).
Hunters:
We all have noticed that A-circuit show hunters are a bit snooty, but I have to say their sport almost requires them to be just so! I think it's quite an accomplishment to score well in the hunter ring. This discipline focuses on sweepy, ground-covering strides, the expression and temperament of the horse and his/her form over the fences. It can be extremely subjective. Imagine one of those paintings above the mantel of a fox hunt happening someplace in Great Britain. Those horses are jumping over small stone fences, fallen logs, perhaps a hedge or two--all while looking completely at peace in their environment. They have to remain calm, steady and be fit enough for a long day of hunting. This is the inspiration behind the hunter discipline.
All jumps in a true hunter ring are naturalistic in color (green, white or bare wooden). The courses are not as technical and the fences are not as high as jumper courses with tight turns or rollbacks, and--of course--you're not timed.
The horse is judged on:
1) How close the horse can get their feet to their ears over the fence
2) How consistent the horse is throughout the course, with respect to speed and tempo
3) How simple the horse looks to ride (the goal is that anybody’s grandmother could ride the horse)
4) Confirmation of the horse with respect to its age.
So basically, the most beautiful horse with the most effortless seeming round (without knocking any rails) will be the winner. No pressure there!
Learn all you'd ever want to know about how the rider is judged (and more) in the USEF Hunter Seat Equitation Manual.
Jumpers:
Alrighty. Jumpers. Higher jumps, tighter turns--a more technical ride indeed. This discipline is more of an equitation challenge for the rider. It's not as pretty but these horses and riders have to be super efficient while riding against the clock.
It's easier said than done, but to be a successful jumper you can't be afraid to go a bit faster--gallop! Well, not all the time. But the top jumpers go in with their feisty horses all strung out and galloping, then they collect the horse onto the haunches before the jump. There is no "auto pilot" for jumpers. They need to do more decision making!
In an ideal world training for hunters, jumpers or any discipline should be similar: striving for balance and an ample amount of forward impulsion while maintaining good communication with your horse. The best hunters, jumpers, eventers, reiners, dressage riders, etc. all have this in common. So if you as a rider can keep this in mind, it will set you up to have an effective and safe seat.
Hunters:
We all have noticed that A-circuit show hunters are a bit snooty, but I have to say their sport almost requires them to be just so! I think it's quite an accomplishment to score well in the hunter ring. This discipline focuses on sweepy, ground-covering strides, the expression and temperament of the horse and his/her form over the fences. It can be extremely subjective. Imagine one of those paintings above the mantel of a fox hunt happening someplace in Great Britain. Those horses are jumping over small stone fences, fallen logs, perhaps a hedge or two--all while looking completely at peace in their environment. They have to remain calm, steady and be fit enough for a long day of hunting. This is the inspiration behind the hunter discipline.
All jumps in a true hunter ring are naturalistic in color (green, white or bare wooden). The courses are not as technical and the fences are not as high as jumper courses with tight turns or rollbacks, and--of course--you're not timed.
The horse is judged on:
1) How close the horse can get their feet to their ears over the fence
2) How consistent the horse is throughout the course, with respect to speed and tempo
3) How simple the horse looks to ride (the goal is that anybody’s grandmother could ride the horse)
4) Confirmation of the horse with respect to its age.
So basically, the most beautiful horse with the most effortless seeming round (without knocking any rails) will be the winner. No pressure there!
Learn all you'd ever want to know about how the rider is judged (and more) in the USEF Hunter Seat Equitation Manual.
Jumpers:
Alrighty. Jumpers. Higher jumps, tighter turns--a more technical ride indeed. This discipline is more of an equitation challenge for the rider. It's not as pretty but these horses and riders have to be super efficient while riding against the clock.
It's easier said than done, but to be a successful jumper you can't be afraid to go a bit faster--gallop! Well, not all the time. But the top jumpers go in with their feisty horses all strung out and galloping, then they collect the horse onto the haunches before the jump. There is no "auto pilot" for jumpers. They need to do more decision making!
In an ideal world training for hunters, jumpers or any discipline should be similar: striving for balance and an ample amount of forward impulsion while maintaining good communication with your horse. The best hunters, jumpers, eventers, reiners, dressage riders, etc. all have this in common. So if you as a rider can keep this in mind, it will set you up to have an effective and safe seat.
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