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December 2017 £3.65 Issue 832
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The ultimate
cross-country
fence guide! Jump every cross-country fence like a pro!
N
ot much beats the thrill of cross-country! It’s super-fun for you and your pony, and makes a change from your normal riding in the arena. Cross-country schooling is the best way to prepare before you go out competing, and gives you the chance to practise over all the different types of fences you’ll meet.
Invite only
Inviting fences are the bes t type to start with, whether you’re warming up are less experienced. They include logs, roll-to ps and tyres. Their rounded shape means the y’re inviting for your pony to jump as they’re not too spooky or wide.
HOW TO RIDE THEM...
You need an XC canter wit h plenty of impulsion but isn’t too fas t. Keep your leg on, look over the fence and soon you’ll be flying over withou t a fuss!
Brushing up
Although brush fences often look big, they’re inviting for ponies and jump well. The top section is made from hedge-like material that ponies are able to brush through with their legs, so they don’t have to jump the full height of the fence. A forward canter with plenty of impulsion – but not speed – is best. Wrap your legs around your pony’s sides as he might take a big leap over if he’s not seen a brush before!
HOW TO RIDE THEM...
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PONY magazine
Ghost-busting
Cross-country fences come in lots of different of shapes and sizes, and some of them look much spookier than others. These can be brightly coloured, a funny shape, under a tree or coming out of the woods so the light and shade affects how your pony sees them. The main thing you need to remember is not to look down at the fence! It’s often the rider who makes a pony worried, rather than the fence itself. Wrap your legs around your pony’s sides to encourage him forward, but keep a good contact to make sure you’re not going too fast. Look up and over the fence and you’ll jump it with no problem.
HOW TO RIDE THEM...
On the straight and narrow
Skinny fences are narrower than usual, meaning they’ll really put your straightness to the test! They can come in lots of different forms, from logs to arrowheads. Plan an accurate, straight line to the fence and stick to it. Maintain an even contact and keep both your legs on to push your pony straight – imagine that you’re pushing him down a channel towards the fence.
HOW TO RIDE THEM...
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7
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1 2 Spookbusting
Hacking is a useful way to show your pony new sights and sounds. If you only ever ride in the arena and then head to a show, he’s likely to get worried by things he hasn’t seen before. Taking him hacking means he’ll get used to lots of different things, which is good for his education.
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PONY magazine
Top tip
If your pony’s spooky, take him out hacking with a more experienced pony. They’ll be able to give you a lead past things he’s nervous of, and he’ll soon learn not to worry so much.
Smart schooling Whether or not you have
3
an arena to ride in, hacking is a great place to brush up on your schooling. Ponies are often more forward on a hack than they are in the arena, so use this to your advantage! You can use trees as markers for transitions and ride circles around them or weave between them to perfect your bending. This is especially useful for ponies who aren’t the biggest fan of schooling – you’ll get the best out of him without him even realising that he’s being schooled!
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ns, yo t at competitio flat and even. Bu ight be m h in a field, whic often be riding cking is Ha g. in ot ve ideal fo sloped or not ha ny used to ol to get your po a really useful to ’s putting about where he this and thinking having on g of just relyin his feet, instead pecially es s It’ . ce to ride on a perfect surfa is if you’re t him used to th important to ge as g cross-country, planning on ridin d an , lls and down hi you’ll be going up nd. over uneven grou
Top tip
4
5
Take a fully charged mobile phone, tell an adult where you plan to go and roughly how long you’ll be. Going for a Don’t forget to wear highhack in a g roup is loads of vis if you’re going on or fun, and yo ur pony will enjoy h near roads so you can imself, too ! It gets him used to be seen easily! being arou nd lots of other ponie s – ideal if you plan to compete as he’ll nee focused on d to stay you, rather than worry about the ing other ponie If your pon s. y gets exc it able aroun build up th d others, e group slo wly. Start b out as a pa y going ir, then as a three. W your pony’s hen used to th at, introdu going out ce in slightly bigger groups eac h time.
Better together
Top tip
Think about your pony’s legs when you go hacking. Fast work on hard ground is a big no-no, and it’s important to go slowly where the ground is very deep, too.
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PONY magazine
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Shout
Out!
Amazing East Lodge I want to give a huge shout out to my riding school, East Lodge. I spend all my spare time riding and doing jobs around the yard. Everyone’s friendly and the instructors are fantastic! I love all the ponies. This is me on Zorro, taking part in my first cross-country lesson. It was awesome!
Evie Boughton
Beautiful Bunny This is our pony, Bunny, at our first-ever show. We entered the best turned-out mare class and had a great time together. We think Bunny looked beautiful!
Jacob and Abigail Stone
Jack’s the best I’d like to shout out to my amazing loan pony, Celton Ajax, also known as Jack. He’s an amazing pony with a funny, kind personality! We mostly compete at dressage, but we also like to jump and go on hacks. I love him to bits as he’s always here for me and happy to give hugs. Thank you so much, Jack!
Iona Reid
Brilliant Beth
MY PONY CLUB
This is Beth. She’s my best friend and we love going out on long hacks together. I’m just learning to jump with her and it’s really fun. Beth likes to play, but her favourite thing to do is eat lots of hay.
This is my amazing pony, Mooky. We’ve been members of the Enfield Chase Pony Club for three years now and we love it. Mooky is only 8hh, but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying all the fun Pony Club activities.
Chloe Walker
Holly
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PONY magazine
Caramel is...
Magic Mol y
Special Spice
This is my super pony, Molly. I’ve only had her for a few months, but they’ve been the best months of my life! I spend every spare hour with her and we always look after each other. She’s definitely my very best friend!
I think that my pony, Spice, deserves to be in PONY because she’s taken me from not being able to canter or jump to galloping around open fields and flying 85cm showjumping courses! She always tries her hardest for me every day and I think she’s amazing.
ARIAT e Awesom onth pony of the m
Lily Noble
Alana McGirr
Awesome April This is my pony, April. Last year she went lame and had to have a lot of time off. We weren’t sure if she would ever jump again, but with lots and time and patience we’ve slowly started jumping. April’s now jumping like her old self – we recently went to our first show since her injury and we won!
I always read PONY mag and I absolutely adore my pony, Tilly! We have an amazing bond and she always nudges my foot to check that I’m okay. We recently went hacking round the woods for the first time and it was brilliant.
Sofia Hartley
Amelie Stone
SUPER-CUTE PETS Millie owned by Chloe
Anabella owned by Lara
Tabby owned by Kaylea
This is my amazing pony, Caramel. I’ve owned him for three years and they’ve been the best three years of my life! He’s really boosted my confidence and I now jump 60–70cm showjumping courses and take part in oneday events. He’s worth more than his weight in gold and I couldn’t imagine life without him. He’s my best friend and I love him so much!
Hannah Cooper
WIN
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PONY magazine
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