Performance progression Performance progression
Part three: single fences
Ellie Fredericks is an eventer who has competed up to 4*. OUR EXPERT
Fine-tune your jumping skills with Ellie Fredericks’ simple, effective exercise!
IIt’s time to put the principles of jumping that we’ve been working on in the last two issues into practice with single fences! This might seem easy peasy, but getting it correct is harder than you might think and refining these skills will make a huge difference to your overall jumping success, so it’s worth putting in the work now! Here’s how…
Top tip
Remember to adjust the distances between the poles accordingly when you increase the fence height.
set it up
You’ll need six poles and a pair of wings for this exercise. You can set it up anywhere in your arena, but I recommend starting with it on one of the three-quarter lines. Set up a cross-pole or small upright near B or E and then place two poles on the ground either side of the fence – each one 3m apart, depending on your pony’s stride length. Once you’ve jumped a simple fence a few times confidently, you can up the ante by adding fillers or changing it to an oxer.
did you know?did you know?
If your pony rushes into fences, get him checked by your vet in case it’s because he’s sore. If he has the all clear, this exercise will give him lots to think about, which will help slow him down into the perfect rhythm.
rider tips
Rider tips
Even though you’re only jumping a single fence, try to keep everything about your position and aids the same as when you were jumping the grid. So, look around the turn to prepare and find your line, then maintain straightness through your pony’s body by channelling him between your hands and legs. Then remember to…
• keep your eyes on the first pole and count your rhythm, then, when you’re three strides away, look up to your exit line
• use both legs to maintain momentum
• keep a soft, consistent rein contact to allow your pony to move his head and neck
• sit up and don’t fold too early on the approach, because if your pony hesitates, you might go flying! Pick up a light seat to allow your pony to move under you, but keep your shoulders back
• on landing, maintain a light seat and soft hands to allow your pony to bounce over the ground poles
• ride straight for a few strides before making a turn
the grass
is greener is greener the grass
Get the most from your pony when riding on grass with our tips
The benefits
Did you know that riding on grass is really good for your pony? It can...
• keep him interested in his work – the change of scenery is exciting and can help boost his confidence
• improve his co-ordination and balance on different terrain and surfaces
• increase his fitness and strength as he has to work harder to stay balanced
• strengthen your bond and improve your communication
Top tip
Some competitions venues only run classes on grass, so it’s important to get the practise in, especially if you want to try eventing or showing!
Whether you’re schooling at home, going hacking or getting ready to compete, we share our guide to riding on grass!
Under foot
Although there are lots of benefits to riding on grass, taking care is essential for your safety. Walk around the area you’re planning to ride on – it shouldn’t be too hard, rutted or soft as this can put a lot of stress on your pony’s legs. Watch out for any holes in the ground and check your surroundings. If you’re riding in a field, are the gates shut? If you’re cantering up a hill, is there a road at the end? Knowing the environment and what’s under foot is really important.
Keep on moving moving
There are so many ways to help your pony stay mobile and healthy!
did you know?did you know?
Long, slow hacks are brilliant for helping your pony shift a few kilos. They’re more gentle on his joints, too, compared to fast work!
Did you know that how much your pony moves can affect his health? Restricting movement, unless it’s been advised by your vet, isn’t good for ponies and can lead to stiffness, weight gain and lots of other health issues so it’s important to keep your pony active to make sure he stays healthy. Here’s how…
Exercise routine
By exercising your pony, you’ll activate his muscles and mobilise his joints to help improve his physical health. Just like us, ponies get bored sitting around doing nothing, so it works their brains, too! There are so many different forms of exercise, including…
In-hand: lungeing, long-reining, in-hand hacks and polework – there are so many ways to work your pony from the ground, which is handy if he can’t be ridden. Stretches are also brilliant for boosting mobility, but speak to your physio about which ones are best for your pony and how to do them correctly before you get started!
Ridden: taking your pony for a ride is always fun, whether you’re hacking, schooling, jumping or doing fitness work! If a pony is carrying a few extra kilos, building up his workload slowly is essential, and doing a variety of activities is sure to make him happy and confident, too!
Harlow’s hacks
Cloudy has a smaller jockey who rides him, but when he’s at home I have to be really creative with his exercise routine because I’m too tall to ride him now. Lungeing all the time isn’t good for his body, so we do a mix of in-hand hacking and long-reining, too. Plus, it helps keep my fitness up, which is important for riding anyway!
Top tip
Make sure your pony’s exercise routine is suitable for his fitness and ability. Chat to your vet and instructor to make a plan if you’re unsure!
