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2 June – 29 June 2021
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This Esme
July 2021 £3.99 Issue 879
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Cross-country
course walk
Wondering what sort of obstacles you’ll meet on the cross-country course? Find out here!
I
f you’re planning some cross-country schooling this summer, or even your first hunter trial or one-day event, it’s super-important to know about the obstacles you might find on course. If you know what you’ll need to jump, then it’ll be much easier to practise at home before the big day and give you the best possible chance of having a totally fun time!
Step up are a cross-country staple at any Sets of steps and down, and level. Your pony needs to step up in a row. few maybe even ride up or down a
gs slowly and Ride it To step down, take thin understand the to e tim of ty plen y pon give your e forwards littl a question. Keep your lower leg reins to the g win allo k, and your shoulders bac can use his y pon r you so rs nge fi r slip through you n. neck for balance as he jumps dow To step up, approach in a powerful trot or canter – just like you would a fence – and move into your jumping position as your pony goes up the step. Work from home You’re unlikely to find a real set of steps out n hacking, but riding up and dow way t banks and hills is a grea to learn how to position your body and get your pony used to different gradients.
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PONY magazine
Point to point
When you watch pro riders go cross-country, you’ll see them standing up out of the saddle between the fences. This is called a two-point position and is super-important to help give your pony’s back a break while you’re cantering around a cross-country course. It’s a bit like your jumping position, but you keep your shoulders up away from your pony’s neck. Have a go in walk and trot around the arena to find your balance, then give it a go in canter. Keep your weight in your heels and hold onto a neckstrap or your pony’s mane to help keep your balance.
Brush past
Some fences will have a line of branches on top, or be made entirely of foliage. Your pony can brush through them, so they’re often a bit bigger than others on the course. Ride it Brush fences are really forgiving, so approach in a positive rhythm and aim to jump out of your pony’s stride – you don’t need to sit up and showjump these fences. Work from home Set up a small upright and lay branches with plenty of leaves on across the fence. This gives it a sloping face, which is more forgiving. Practise your approach in two-point position in a positive canter.
Table top
Oxers on the cross-country course usually come in the form of a table, house or roll top – all of which look a little different, but can be ridden in a similar way. Ride it You’ll need a positive canter on the approach to all of these and, like the brush fence, you should be able to jump them out of your pony’s stride in a more forward rhythm – much like you’d jump an oxer in the showjumping ring. Work from home Set up square and ascending oxers and approach them in a positive pace in two-point position. Try to maintain the same rhythm between several fences to help you and your pony get used to jumping out of a more forward rhythm.
TOP TIP
Cross-country fences can come in bright colours or interesting designs, such as barrels, pheasant feeders and shark’s teeth. Jumping colourful fillers will help build your pony’s confidence, but add a little extra leg on the approach to support him.
PONY magazine
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At full stretch Check out This Esme’s exercises to help you become a more flexible rider Top tip
It’s a good idea to practise these exercises on a yoga mat. You’ll find it a lot comfier than the floor!
W
e’re quick to help our ponies become supple and loose through schooling exercises, but it’s easy to forget that we riders need to be flexible, too! I like to do a series of stretches each day to help me loosen up, improve my balance and strengthen my core. Here are some of my fave rider pilates exercises that you can easily try at home or at the yard.
Top tip
When you’re doing your pilates sesh, make sure you wear comfy clothes that allow you to move. Plus, it’s surprising how warm you get when you’re working your legs and core!
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PONY magazine
1. reach up This exercise will challenge your balance and help stretch out your sides. It’s a good way to check if you’re evenly balanced on both sides of your body which is important for changes of rein. SET IT UP If you need to cushion your knee, you can pop a pillow underneath. HOW DO IT
1. Stand with your arms by your sides and position 2.
2. Splendid
3. 4.
squats
5.
This is a fab exercise to help strengthen your thigh muscles for riding. SET IT UP You’ll need one or two sturdy blocks, such as grooming boxes.
one leg in front of you and one leg behind you, with your feet pointing forwards. Get into position by lowering yourself down until the leg that’s behind you is kneeling and your front leg is bent at a 90o angle. Next, place one hand on your hip and reach the other arm straight up in the air. Carefully lean your torso to one side around your bent arm. Make sure you engage your core so that your hips stay square. Repeat the stretch three more times, then carefully stand up, reposition, and have a go the opposite way.
top tip
Make sure you spend some time stretching out your thigh muscles after this exercise so they don’t stiffen up.
HOW TO DO IT
1. Stand in front of your grooming box with one foot resting on top of it.
2. Carefully lower yourself down as if you’re doing a squat. Feel the burn in your thigh!
3. Hold the position for a few seconds, then 4.
straighten your leg. Repeat the exercise three more times, then swap legs. UP THE CHALLENGE If using just one grooming box isn’t giving you enough of a burn, stack another one on top to make the exercise more challenging.
3. LIMBER UP Find riding without stirrups super-tough? Well, if your inner thighs need strengthening, this simple exercise is a great way to start. HOW TO DO IT
1. Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart and rest your hands on your hips.
2. Slowly stretch out one leg while bending the other knee and placing your weight onto it.
3. You should feel your inner thigh stretching. The lower you go, the more you’ll feel it!
4. Return to standing position and do the same on the other leg.
TURN OVER FOR MORE STRETCHES PONY magazine
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