CROSS COuNTRY COACHING - Adjusting your pace Jenny Richardson BHSAI
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hen riding a Cross Country course, it is invaluable to be able to adjust your pace at will. Basic pace adjustment can be learned in the manege, progressing onto riding in open spaces across country both in training and in courses. In any cross country situation, you are likely to encounter a number of questions such as tight corners, changing terrain, light to dark (and vice versa), narrow gaps, overhanging trees as well as unusual fences, such as drops or water which may need to be approached in trot for a novice horse and/or rider. Normal pace will of course be your medium canter.
concentration and obedience, aiming for good work in medium walk, trot and canter and not being too concerned at this point with collecting or extending. Obviously this change of surroundings can affect his rideability, so several sessions of practise may be needed. Progress by including first one cross country fence, and then proceed to stringing several together. If there is sufficient room, train him to come back to trot for a few strides and then pick up canter between fences – eventually it will become merely an adjustment of the canter pace and trot will not be needed. Over-exaggerating your requests will be easier for him to understand in the early stages. If your horse becomes too strong or excitable An oPen AreA over his fences, a good technique is to return to Your horse should be well established and responsive in upward and downward transitions in working on a circle, initially a small one, spiralling to a larger one as you regain control. When a manege or enclosed area, achieved by repetition doing this, be sure to turn away from the next over a period of time. The next stage is to move fence in good time, and do not allow the horse to on to an open grass area or cross country course. approach it; we must not in any way teach him he Repeat your exercises ensuring his continued may stop or run out once he is presented at an obstacle. It is vital to get the foundations of pace As horses generally enjoy correctly set, to achieve a cross country work, it is usually fast, safe XC experience. very easy to encourage a faster ( Japan’s Atsushi Negishi pace but not so easy to slow is pictured.) down! It is therefore vital to get the foundations correctly set to reach the required control needed for a fast, safe experience. Think of your speed as being on different levels; slower paces will be easier to control but ultimately you must aim for that same control in extended canter. Your repertoire must include the ability to halt at any given time. Emergencies can happen on a course and a rider ahead 22 | April 2013
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Jenny Richardson BHSAI is Equestrian Centre Business Manager at Ireland’s Castle Leslie Estate, a venue that offers luxurious equestrian riding holidays and training breaks in the heart of Ireland. The team welcomes riders of all abilities and age groups and offers expert tuition, gentle hacks and exhilarating cross-country rides over an extensive XC course. Visit www.castleleslie.com
of you may have had a fall, there could be a loose horse, or even a broken fence. It is important that if flagged down by an official, you are able to come down through your paces to walk or halt until safe to proceed. In a pairs class, or training with another horse and rider combination, again it is important to be completely safe and in control as horses in company can tend to race each other or become more excitable. It is important to work out which horse is best placed as leader, and which should follow. Once all your controls are firmly set, you will be best placed to have the most enjoyable cross country experience and hopefully collect happy, safe, fault free rounds wherever you go. Remember basic safety points such as your back protector, correct headgear and the right tack and boots for your horse. www.equiads.net
19/03/2013 15:41