In this feature. . .
As told to Rachel Dyke. Photos: Jon Stroud.
Our expert
Tina Cook has a wealth of experience competing at the very top level of eventing. She was European Champion in 2009 and has won three Olympic medals, two World team golds and four European team golds.
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Our model
Handsome Ransom is a 10-year-old gelding eventing at Open Novice level. He flat-raced – slowly – about 15 times before Tina took him on in January 2017. Described as a bit of a pet, he also hunts and is ridden by Tina’s daughter.
Introduce your horse to cross-country fences
In the saddle
➤ Develop
a controlled approach ➤ Improve your skills out hacking
Lay the foundations for
cross-country
confidence Planning your first cross-country schooling session of the season? Olympic eventer Tina Cook explains how to make it productive and positive
C
ross-country is, at its heart, a test of your horse’s bravery. With this in mind, your main goal in training is to give him positive experiences all the time – this is key to instilling courage and acceptance. If you help him succeed at the most basic level by introducing fences in a constructive way, then gradually increase the challenge, he’ll be much more willing to tackle more technical questions further down the line. There’s no point in trying to be clever or catch him out. If he’s confident, he’ll jump for you, if he’s not, then he won’t – it’s as simple as that.
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In this feature. . .
➤ Break
down a course with cavaletti
courses
Horses for
As told to Bethany Searby. Photos: Adam Fanthorpe.
Successful course riding requires a horse and rider combination that’s forward-thinking, adjustable and quick to react. Eventing world champion Ros Canter shows you the key with cavaletti
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In the saddle
➤ Achieve
the perfect position ➤ Create an adjustable horse
Our expert
Ros Canter has made a name for herself on the eventing scene. As well as her team and individual eventing golds at the 2018 World Equestrian Games, she’s also racked up several top five completions at CCI5* in recent years.
Our model
Izilot DHI (Isaac) is a 16.1hh six-year-old, Dutch-bred gelding owned by Ros, and Nick and Alex Moody. He secured second place in the Burghley Young Event Horse final and third in the five-year-old Young Horse Championship at Osberton in 2018.
I
f you’re watching high-level jumping, the rounds that really stand out are the ones that look smooth and effortless, as if the rider’s simply sitting back and enjoying the show. However, looks can be deceiving. What appears to be breezing around on auto-pilot is more than likely the end result of a meticulous training process that covers all the skills needed to succeed. This helps horse and rider work together as a partnership to perfect the adaptability, precision and planning skills required to tackle a course. Cavaletti are a hugely beneficial part of my schooling. Using small, inviting obstacles to simulate the constituent parts of a course prepares me and my horses for the real thing – without the pressure of the competition ring. Incorporating these exercises into your own training will help you achieve an adjustable, quick-thinking horse who’s on your aids, and will teach you to use your position effectively and plan ahead to get the results you want.
Position principles
I’m a big believer in riding with longer reins and low hands because it forces you to maintain an upright seat. This will engage your core and keep your eyes where they should be – looking up and to your next obstacle. British Eventing performance coach, Chris Bartle, always says to imagine you’re jumping 1.60m, which keeps your body and eyeline upright. These principles make up the building blocks of smooth and effortless-looking riding.
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As told to Rachel Dyke. Photos: Jon Stroud. With thanks to Nettex for their help with this feature, nettexequine.com
GET THE
GOLD MEDAL-WINNING
LOOK
Our expert
Alan Davies is the international travelling groom for Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin. He’s been to Olympic Games, and European and World Championships, caring for dressage superstars such as Valegro and Uthopia. In his spare time, Alan breeds and shows miniature Shetlands.
Brushed off
Want to give your horse the five-star grooming treatment? Top groom Alan Davies reveals his turnout secrets
H
ave you ever wondered just what goes into making a top-level competition horse shine in the ring? Although it may look as though they’ve been primped and prepped for hours to achieve that coveted, not-a-hair-out-of-place, finish there are steps you can take to make the preparation process surprisingly simple.
Every horse on the yard gets a thorough groom at least once a day, and it gives me a chance to look for any lumps, bumps or other issues. As well as keeping your horse clean, grooming is a great opportunity for some one-on-one bonding time. It also helps you learn more about him – some horses are more sensitive in certain areas or have places they particularly enjoy a firm scratch.
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A lot of the work behind getting a horse looking his competition-best happens long before the run-up to show day, and it’s a process that you can apply to your own horse’s daily care. Putting together the right grooming routine will lay the foundations for a shiny coat, a flowing tail and plaits that would make the best in the business jealous, plus quarter marks to add a final finishing touch.
Start with a rubber curry comb to release loose hair and dirt. It’ll also have a massaging effect, and aid circulation and blood supply to the skin. A flicky brush sweeps away what the curry comb has brought to the surface, while a soft body brush adds a glossy finish. A conditioning coat spray adds a final shine, but avoid the saddle area and your horse’s mane if you’re plaiting him up, as it’ll make the hair slippery.
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Management know-how
Grooming is a great opportunity to spend some one-on-one bonding time with your horse
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