PONY Magazine - June 2022

all about

bits

ACE SITTING

TROT

jump

bigger MUST-GO-TO horsey

EVENTS

with Meg Elphick SHOW YOUR

pony you

love him

Take the PONY Academy test!

4 May – 31 May 2022

Ultimate shopping guide

PONYMAG.COM

Model ponies! ponies!

June 2022 £3.99 Issue 891 DJMurphy

*UK ONLY

p u t i e s i a r

Learn to jump bigger fences with Meg Elphick

14

PONY magazine

U

pping the height of the fences you jump can be a really scary prospect – even if you’re sure it’s what you want to do! I find jumping bigger fences quite daunting, too, so I use gridwork to help me feel more confident. Here’s my tried and tested layout to help you tackle bigger jumps.

WHY G RIDdeSnc?e in any

If you lack confi gridwork’s area of jumping, to give the ultimate way help your s you a boost. Grid stride by ct rfe pe pony hit the ythm for establishing a rh ed to you, so all you ne ing focus on is keep ht your pony straig ing ov and impr Pop on a neckstrap so your position. you can hold onto it to With fewer keep your balance if your things to worry pony puts in a big jump about, you can or has a wobble. let the jumps t happen withou panicking. Then, as you feel more n start confident, you ca d improving an t thinking abou and looking er nt ca your pony’s ride. for the perfect st

TOP TIP

C

BUILD IT

I start by setting out four poles, with one canter stride (2.7–3m) between the first two, then one jumping stride between the last ones (6.1–7.3m). Pop a pair of wings and a spare pole either side of the second, third and fourth poles – with an extra set of wings by the fourth – ready to build into fences later on.

H

READY TO GO

M 6.1–7.3m

E

B

6.1–7.3m

2.7–3m

K

F

A

Use your warm-up to get your pony listening – he should be quick to move off your leg and slow down as soon as you ask.

This’ll help you keep him going through the grid and make sure you don’t feel out of control.

Once you’ve warmed up, ride over the poles in walk, trot and canter to get your pony used to them. Focus on getting straight and keeping your line all the way through the grid, looking up and sitting tall to encourage your pony to use his shoulders.

step one

Build the second pole into a small cross-pole – keeping it low to start with. Trot your pony around the corner and towards the grid. Keep your shoulders up and your legs on to encourage him forwards. The first pole will help you find the perfect stride and your pony should pick up canter as he pops over it.

TOP TIP

Ask a friend to video you jumping through the grid so you can see whether your pony’s making a good shape and your position’s correct.

PONY magazine

15

Dforatyouer sDiary Fill your calendar with some fun horsey days out this summer!

BRAMHAM HORSE TRIALS

9–12 June

ets

Tick

bramham-horse.co.uk From £14 for an adult, under 12s go free

Wetherby, West Yorkshire

If you love eventing then you’ll love Bramham International Horse Trials! It’s a four-star event spread over three days, so you can choose which day you go on depending on what discipline you enjoy watching the most. Or, why not get a full pass and watch all three days? There’s also loads of stands where you can pick up some new gear for you and your pony.

THE AL SHIRA’AA HICKSTEAD DERBY MEETING

23–26 JUNE

ets

Tick

hickstead.co.uk From £20 for an adult, under 15s go free

Hickstead, West Sussex

One of the showjumping calendar’s most anticipated events!

The Derby attracts showjumping’s biggest names, and you can watch them tackle the famous derby bank. As well as top-level showjumping there’s showing classes, carriage driving and a fun fair – perfect day out or what?

BOLESWORTH INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW

29 June – 3 July Tattenhall, Chester

ets

Tick

bolesworthinternational.com From £20 for an adult, under 15s go free

From watching the international showjumping, to a massive shopping village and even a chance to have a go at dog agility – there’s so much to do at Bolesworth! Plus, you can watch puissance, pony showjumping and even a fancy-dress relay.

26

PONY magazine

my must-visit event is...

FESTIVAL OF BRITISH EVENTING

5–7 August

ets Tick

festivalofbritisheventing.com Starting from £25, under 12s go free

Gatcombe, Gloucestershire

A jam-packed weekend of four-star eventing, plus loads of extra fun activities that we know you’ll love! Watch horses strut their stuff in dressage to music displays, marvel at speed and agility of the Pony Club mounted games and be prepared to for a cuddle and a lick when you meet the Royal Agricultural University’s pack of lovable beagles!

NAF HARTPURY HORSE TRIALS

10–14 August

ets Tick

hartpuryequineevents.co.uk Free – £12 depending on which day you attend

Hartpury, Gloucestershire

Enjoy dressage, cross-country and showjumping at the highest level. As well as the eventing, there’s a super-fun summer fair with loads of food and shopping. We know you’ll love visiting one of the UK’s top horsey education centres for this exciting event.

LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR

19–21 August

ets

Tick

gcglobalchampions.com Starting from £15, under 10s go free

Chelsea, London

Get ready for some action and fierce competition at the 12th event in this around-the-world tour, where the very best showjumpers compete for a chance at glory. If you love showjumping then this is the show for you. It’s a high adrenaline atmosphere where every pole counts! If that wasn’t enough, then there’s also an area devoted to fun activities for all the family.

BLAIR CASTLE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS

25–28 August Blair Atholl, Scotland

ets

Tick

blairhorsetrials.co.uk Starting from £15

Eventing heaven situated in the stunning Scottish countryside.

With loads of competitions at lots of different levels, there’ll never be a dull moment! Watch top eventers battle for first place, indulge in some horsey shopping and marvel at some Highland pony showing classes.

PONY magazine

27