PONY magazine – February 2017

Real life DRAMA - I competed at Olympia!

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Robert

Whitaker’s

jumping tips

Make your pony

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Find youtr perfec

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February 2017 £3.49 Issue 821

HOW TO RIDE EVERY TYPE

W

ater fences often provide a challenge on a cross-country course. Ponies can’t tell how deep water is by looking at it, so they need to trust you that it’s safe.

Back to basics

If your pony’s never seen water before or is nervous going through it, practise walking through small puddles out on hacks. He’ll soon get used to the feeling of getting his feet wet, and you can gradually build up to bigger puddles, or shallow streams if you know they’re safe to cross.

Start slowly – walk through the water to give him time to look at it and work out it’s safe. Once he’s happily walking through without stopping, practise in trot, then canter.

When he’s used to water at home, he’ll be more likely to stay happy and relaxed when he meets a water fence on a cross-country course.

Top tip

Make sure you know how deep the water is before you ride through it and that the approach and exit, as well as the surface below the water, isn’t too boggy or stoney.

’ n i h s i l p S and n’ i h s a l p s r jump e t a w a Tackle

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nce! e d fi n o with c

Friendly face

Getting a lead from a more experienced friend is a great way to encourage a reluctant pony to go through water. Seeing his friend go through safely will give your pony more confidence to step into the water and follow him.

Ride with confidence

When you’re approaching a water jump, look up and ahead to the other side. Don’t look down or your pony might have a look, too! Wrap your legs around his sides to keep him moving forwards.

If you think he might stop or hesitate, approach at a slower pace to give him time to look and work out what you’re asking – there’s nothing wrong with coming back to walk or trot to give him confidence.

Look up and ahead to the other side of the water as you ride through it.

Confidence is key!

Make t

More c he drop halleng ing cro you to s ride a drop f s-country c to prac ence in o tise th to wat urses might ese ty across e ask r p . It e them a s t a com of fences b ’s a good ide Build it e a f p o et re you up gra the dro come Hold your pony’s mane, neck dually, ition. p fenc s tarting e tall an strap or martingale to stay with a d don’t in walk. Loo pp f d o o r g w balanced if he takes a big et to s k up and ah roaching n into ead, sit lip you the wa r reins When ter. leap into the water. as you droppin you’re confi drop dent, y g into ou w remem ber to ater in trot a can practis e keep y nd the showju our po n cant m ny in a er, but don’t r ping canter b ouncy, ush int so you c o it! both s tay ba ollected lanced Slippin – g your This is r e in a jumpin really useful s g to m skill to ak h his mo uth if y e sure you d ave when yo on’t ca u ou get To slip tch yo ’re behind your re u r t to allo pony in h e ins, op w the en you movement. reins t will ke r fi ngers o sli ep you slightly in a se de through being t cure p pulled osition hem – this forwar landed and ds o ,c shorte ollect your r ut of balanc stops you ning th eins ba e. Whe em. n you’v ck up as if y e ou’re s Photo: Steve Barden

Top tip

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Our trainer

Robert Whitaker is son of showjumping legend John, and is a successful international showjumper himself. He’s won the British Open Showjumping Championships three times and has ridden on British teams on many occasions.

Our models

Elise Blouquet is riding her 19-year-old pony, Buzz. They are Pony Club members and take part in showjumping, eventing and dressage, but enjoy jumping most of all.

Ride a course with

Robert Whitaker

Top showjumper Robert Whitaker reveals his tips on how to jump a successful round. Check it out!

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Warm-up guide

I

t’s really important to warm up your pony before you do any activity, but especially jumping.

The aim is to get his muscles warm, loose and relaxed, get him listening to you and responding to your aids. If you warm up your pony well, you’re much more likely to jump a successful round.

Before you jump...

l ask for a more forward canter. Once you’ve cantered on each rein, ask your pony to extend his strides slightly so he moves forwards. A stronger canter is better for riding a course. l perfect your balance. Keep your weight pushed down into your heels as this will help you maintain a good balance. l check your position. Make sure all elements of your position are correct and you’re secure in the saddle before you start jumping. Your feet and lower leg are particularly important, because if they’re not in the correct place, you’ll lose strength through your body.

Warm-up exercises

If your pony changes canter lead over the pole or lands on the wrong leg after a fence, bring him back to trot and ask for canter again.

C

H

M

20m

E

B

Exercise 1 K

F

Exercise 1 A

Top tip

Jump the cross-pole off both reins and in both directions.

Exercise 2

Exercise 2 Always start by jumping a small cross-pole first, as they help you and your pony aim for the centre of the fence. Approach in a forward canter on a straight line and aim to maintain it. Ask a bit more of him when you’re about four or five strides away from the fence by squeezing with your legs to keep the impulsion.

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Thanks to John Whitaker International for their help with this feature, johnwhitaker.com

Top tip

Exercise 1 Place a pole on the ground at A, E, C or B and canter over it on a 20-metre circle. Using the pole will help you practise judging when your pony will take off for a fence.

Look towards the pole as you come round the circle to give yourself time to prepare your line.

Keep your pony’s canter in an even rhythm on the circle and maintain impulsion to the pole – don’t let him break into trot. Aim to canter over the centre of the pole and ride on after.

y d a e r u o y e Ar

for a pony?

Take our fab quiz to find out how you’d cope with the responsibility of looking after your very own pony. What would you do in each situation?

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success! As you You’ve got a new pony – onto his new y lorr lead him out of the first? him put you l yard, where wil h his Straight into the field wit make to nt wa y’ll the – d her new ay! aw t friends with him righ

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to Into his own field or stable first, n ow his on in tle set let him the to d before being introduce e. tim r other ponies ove

2

Three or four other ponies – they all love to gallop, so you’re sure you’ll enjoy yourselves!

Alone – you don’t like people watching you ride and you like the peace and quiet.

One other pony so your pony can be given a lead if he spooks at anything or needs reassurance.

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Ask an experienced adult to come and take a look at it and call the vet. Better to be sa fe than sorry.

Just leave it, it’ll he al better on its own without inter ference.

htaway Take him for a ride straig am dre my – you’ve finally got most the ke ma to pony and need of it!

He’s settled into his new yard and you’ve been getting on really well riding in the school. It’s time to go for a hack! Who should you go with?

Your pony’s cut him self in the field, but you can’t tell how deep it is. Wha t do you do?

Put a bandage on to stop any dirt getting in – you’re sure it’ll heal eventually.

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You’re planning on entering your first competition. What jumping class will you enter?

The class 10cm smaller than you’ve been jumping in your lessons to give you both confidence.

The biggest class there is, obviously! You need to show off your new pony – he’s a supertalented jumper.

The height you’ve been jumping at home. The jump-off section is a bit bigger, but you trust each other so it’ll be fine.

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oe and the Your pony’s lost a sh a few days. Do for it vis farrier can’t you still go riding? t riding today You won’t worry abou ns, anyway, – you have other pla head to the n’t so you probably wo rier’s put a far the er yard until aft new shoe on. u’ll go to the You won’t ride, but yo ortable and mf co ’s he k yard to chec s in his hoof hasn’t got any stone sore. that could make him for a picnic You’ve planned to go nds, so you frie rd ya ur yo ride with he’ll be re can’t cancel! You’re su y areas. ne sto oid fine, you’ll just av

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Your pony’s been acting strange ly recently, bucking occasionally and stopping at jumps. What do you do?

Keep riding him through it – he’s probably just excited and testing the boundaries.

Avoid doing any more jumping until he’s settled down.

Get his back, teeth and saddle checked – it’s unlike him to be naughty, so he could be uncomfortable.

You stayed up late the night before for your BFF’s birthday, and you don’t fancy riding in the rain and wind this morning! What do you do?

Nip to the yard quickly and check he’s happy with enough food and water – you can do the rest tomorrow.

Head down to the yard to do your chores, give your pony a good groom, and check he’s cosy and snug in his rug.

Urgh, this rain is gross, there’s no way you’re going out in it! He’ll be fine until you go to the yard tomorrow.

TURN THE PAGE TO CHECK YOUR ANSWERS!

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