Tina’s top training for
SJ success! Follow our super new show jumping series with triple Olympic medal winning Tina Cook!
Our Trainer Tina Cook is a brilliant British event rider! She’s been at the top of her game for many years and has won no less than three Olympic medals – bronze team and individual at the 2008 Beijing Games, and team silver at the London Games last year. Tina enjoys teaching young riders, keen to impart her knowledge and skills to the next generation of equestrians.
Warming up
Our models
Imogen has owned Maggie for a year-and-a-half. They enjoy jumping but Maggie can get very wound up so Imogen wants to work on getting her to relax. Tara has not owned six-year-old Spot for long. Spot is quite green but Tara hopes to try eventing this summer.
“In both XC and show ju mping there will be times on the course when you need a short, bouncy canter and times when you need a more onward-bound canter. To be able to control your pony’s speed and stride smoothly, without him throwing his head in the air and losing concentration, is a good skill to master. Canter your ponies around and ask them to flex and lower their heads. Canter in a light, forward seat for six-to-eight strides, then sit in the saddle for six-to-eight strides. And it’s not all in the reins, it’s in your seat and upper body. You want your pony to learn not to resist against your contact or throw his head in the air when you change your seat. F lex to the inside, flex to the outside and ride a circle every now and again. Use half-halts to steady your pony and ask him to soften. You need control of your pony in the school – if he doesn’t respect you here, you won’t have much chance riding across country!”
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