PONY Magazine – May 2019

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make him flexible

Go eventing!

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10 April – 8 May 2019

May 2019 £4.99 Issue 851

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Fit for the job

Doing three phases in one day can be pretty demanding, so it’s really important that your pony is super-fit. To find out how to build his fitness safely, visit bit.ly/PONY_FITNESS

event

Taking part in a one-day event is three times the fun! Here’s all you need to know

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venting is the ultimate test of your riding and your partnership with your fave pony, because it involves doing three disciplines in one day – dressage, showjumping and cross-country. It’s super-fun to try, so what are you waiting for?

Thank you to Munstead Horse Trials for their help with this feature, munsteadhorsetrials.com

perfect planning

The first thing to do is find an event you want to compete at, then send in your entry. A few days before the competition you’ll be given start times for each discipline that makes up the competition. How long you’ll get between each one depends on the number of entries, but there’ll usually be a gap of around half an hour.

This should be enough time for you and your pony to rest and relax, and prepare for the next stage of the competition.

Between phases offer your pony a drink and give him a haynet to munch on or let him graze in-hand. Make sure you have plenty to drink, too, and snack on something healthy to help keep your energy levels up.

If you do find yourself with extra With so much to remember, you’ll need to time, put it to good use be super-organised to make sure you’re in the by double checking the right place at the right time. Creating a timetable course plan, walking for your day will be really helpful, and you shou the XC again or ld write down when you need to... watching some of the o leave home other competitors. o arrive at the venue o walk the SJ and XC courses o tack up for each discipline o warm-up for the three phases o compete in each phase

Ride on time

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Ride -standard blue up-to l black or p and silk or skull ca riding hat tie d stock or l shirt an ed jacket e avy or tw n , k c la b l or beige jods l white or breeches ves loured glo l plain-co r short o ing boots l long rid chaps boots and it Pony kit ge-legal b ith dressa w le d ri b l and and noseb ddle e or GP sa g a ss l dre

Top tip

If you’re travelling to the event with a friend, tell the organiser so they can give you times that are close together.

Top tip

When you arrive at the venue, collect your number from the secretary and find out where the showjumping and dressage arenas are.

This is where your competition day really begins!

It’s your chance to show off your pony’s flatwork to the judge, and hopefully get the day off to the perfect start.

How it’s scored As with any dressage test, you’ll be marked out of 10 for each movement, but in eventing your overall score is converted into penalties rather than a percentage. The better your score, the fewer penalties you’ll get, so don’t worry if you see a low mark on the scoreboard!

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DID YOU KNryOW a whip

You can’t car in the dressage phase of British Eventing and some Pony Club events.

If you’re not sure, ask the secretary.

Pre-event prep In most cases, the dressage phase of an event will be on grass, so if you only ever do flatwork in an arena, it’s a good idea to ride in a field regularly before your competition.

Also, make sure you learn your test, because some events won’t allow you to have it called to you. It’s worth checking this with the secretary beforehand.

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a d n n e d B

stretch Help your pony improve his suppleness and flexibility with these fun exercises

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uppleness is the ability to move and bend freely and easily. It’s super-important because it’ll help improve your pony’s flatwork, jumping and even his day-to-day life! Try these exercises to help get him moving and make him more flexible.

Loosen up

A pony is supple when he can bend evenly through his whole body in both directions. This means when you ride a turn or circle he should bend around your inside leg in the direction you’re going.

Top tip

Always ride each exercise on both reins, so your pony works all his muscles evenly.

Exercise one Feeling bendy

You can work on your pony’s suppleness at any time, including on a hack or while warming him up before a schooling sesh. An easy way to do this is by encouraging him to flex and bend to the left and right while you’re walking.

HOW TO RIDE IT...

Top tip

As your pony bends, you should be able to just see the corner of his eye and his eyelashes. If you can see the side of his face, he’s bending too much.

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1. Place your inside leg on the girth, and firmly press it to your pony’s side to help maintain impulsion and give him something to bend around.

2. Move your outside leg behind the girth to control his hindquarters and stop them swinging out.

3. Open your inside rein to ask him to bend.

4. Use your outside rein to control the impulsion and stop your pony from over-bending. Make sure you keep your contact consistent and your arms close to your sides.

5. Keep him flexed for two strides, then allow him to relax for two strides, then repeat the exercise, this time asking him to flex in the opposite direction. Try this four times, then ride straight.

o Exercise tw es Super serpentin

Riding lots of turns and circles is great for helping to improve your pony’s suppleness as he has to bend towards the centre of the circle. Serpentines are even better as you’ll need to change your pony’s bend as you ride each loop. They’re super-easy to add into your schooling sessions and you can try them in walk and trot.

the centre line, SET UP Place two pairs of polesX on and C. midway between A and X, and

C

HOW TO RIDE IT...

1. Start on the right rein at C, and ride a half circle to the first set of poles.

2. Ride straight between the poles. Then, as you begin the second half circle, ask your pony to bend to the left.

3. Keep your pony straight through the second pair of poles.

4. As you begin your last half circle, again change your pony’s bend so he’s bending to the right.

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You don’t need to be riding to work on your fave pony’s suppleness – carrot stretches that you do from the ground are super useful, too! Go to bit.ly/PONY_STRETCHES to find out how to do them.

Top tip

Try this exercise in walk on both reins before attempting it in trot.

Remember, it’s important to try and keep the half circles as even as possible.

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