PONY Magazine – January 2020

in! A lesson with showjumper Holly Smith W E E R F ILLIANT BR

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20 November – 17 December 2019

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This Esme’s FAVE POLEWORK EXERCISE

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Check out our fab inspo to he pl you stay her motivated in the school, whatever the weat

W

hen it’s feeling chilly and you know the light’s going to be fading soon, you might wonder if it’s worth tacking up your pony for a quick ride after school. But even a short schooling sesh can be really beneficial, and you can turn your lack of time into a positive by being super-focused! So, plan your time and go into the arena knowing exactly what you want to work on with your pony, and how long to spend on each movement. Here’s some inspo to get you started!

Top tip

If you want to use poles or cones in your schooling sesh, ask if it’s OK to set them out in the morning. Then you can ride straightaway in the evening.

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PONY magazine

Top tip

If it’s chilly and your pony’s clipped, pop an exercise sheet on him until he’s warmed up.

How to ride it 1.

2.

Wonderful warm-ups really Time may not be on your side, but it’s still You erly. prop pony your -up warm to rtant impo up his ning loose should spend at least 10 minutes you ver, Howe ing. work for muscles to prepare them more sesh oling scho your of part can make this -up, interesting by using fun exercises to warm ol. scho rather than just going round the

savvy sequences about Giving you and your pony loads to think your take help will r winte in riding e when you’r ing minds off the weather! So, rather than stick and ive creat get , to circles and straight lines to come up with your own schooling patterns s move rent diffe few a link to need just try! You together – a bit like a mini dressage test – and you can make it easy or more challenging, to suit your pony’s level of training. Not only is this great fun, it’ll help you improve his bend, rhythm and straightness, and how quickly he responds to your aids. To give you some inspo, here’s one we came up with!

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4.

5.

C

Start by going large in walk. Have your pony on H a long – not loose – rein, 20m so he can stretch out his neck and back, but make sure he’s stepping out.

Walk one lap of the arena on each rein.

E Shorten your reins and move up into trot, then start a 20m circle at A. At any point on the circle, make a transition to walk, K Walk count five strides, then trot again.

When you get back to A, A go large to E, then ride another 20m circle, remembering to include the walk-trot transition again. Continue to C and ride a third circle with a walk-trot transition.

Change the rein and repeat the circles.

Have a go in canter on both reins. This time, ride a canter-trot-canter transition on each one.

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7.

B

F

C

How to ride it 1.

M

Go large around the school in trot, starting H on the right rein.

As you come out of the corner before K, ride a half-halt to get your pony’s attention. Then, 5m E leave the track at K and ride a 5m shallow loop, returning to the track at H. Remember to Include a shallow smoothly change your loop on each pony’s bend halfway K long side between the track and the centre line.

At C, ride a 15m circle A and, on the second half, walk for four strides before picking up trot again.

Ride another 5m shallow loop from M to F. Repeat the 15m circle at A, remembering to include the walk transition.

When you get back to A, ride a three-loop serpentine to C. Give your pony a quick breather, then repeat the whole sequence on the other rein!

M

B

5m

F

e Up the challeng e the circles in se up a level, rid

ci To To step this exer the next move. ck to trot before ba g to in m nd co ou , er gr cant s on the more, place pole ch spice it up even d put two on ea ul co u yo ample, ride over – for ex 6 o’clock! circle, at 12 and

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t a sever sa

Exercises on the lunge can really help improve your riding position

H

aving a secure, independent seat will help you become a more effective rider. You’ll sit in a correct, balanced position, which means you won’t be relying on your reins to hold you in place. One of the best ways to achieve this is by having lessons on the lunge. You can concentrate 100% on your riding while your instructor controls your pony. Here’s all you need to know...

Top tip

The side-reins shouldn’t be fastened until the pony’s been warmed up in walk, trot and canter.

did you know?

Your instructor may ask you to ride without reins or stirrups for part of your lesson. But don’t worry, you won’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.

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PONY magazine

Top tip

t sit it nou sons, from benefit from lunge les

Anyone ca lly nced riders. But it’s rea beginners to experie is u rson teaching yo important that the pe BHS s a minimum of their ha y all qualified, and ide nt. ale uiv eq an or n alificatio Stage 2 teaching qu ed to us o’s wh ny po ct rfe You also need the pe nd to your instructor’s lunged and will respo ing be sier for l also make things ea voice commands. It’l e it’ll us ca be , thm even rhy you if he moves in an to sit on. make him feel comfy

Ask your instructor if you can do the exercises in walk first, then move up into trot when you’re feeling more confident.

Top tip

If your instructor hasn’t already suggested trying some exercises on the lunge, why not ask them if you can have a go in one of your next lessons?

did you know?

It’s a really good idea to have a lunge lesson once a month or every six weeks.

what to wear

The pony Your instructor will fit a lunge cavesson underneath the pony’s bridle, removing the noseband first. They’ll then clip a lunge-line to the cavesson, and will attach side-reins that run from the saddle to the bit and encourage the pony to work into a contact. He’ll also need protective boots for his legs and a neckstrap for you to hold onto in case you need a bit more security.

The instructor They’ll wear their riding hat, gloves and suitable footwear that they can move around easily in. They’ll also carry a lunge whip, which is used to keep the pony out on a circle.

The rider You’ll need all your usual riding kit.

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