PONY Magazine – August 2015

EU TH

K’S

NO1NY O

PAGAZINE M

Police Horses

around the world!

Are you and your pony a

perfect match?

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jumping

rules

you need to know

Holiday ride?

Strange pony?

No worries!

Top horsey

days out!

Cute posters 0 8 9

770032 425980

August 2015 £3.99 Issue 802

Real Life Experiences

“I fell into the river – w i t h m y h o r s e !“ st iv al “I ro de at th e Fe !“ of Br it is h Ev en ti ng

Get (and keep) a brilliant riding position!

Adopt the position!

Start at the beginning

If you’re going jumping, learn to ride in your forward position. Shorten your stirrups two-three holes, keep your weight in your heels and your legs under you, and adopt the classic forward seat. This needs practice. Your knees and ankles need to stay supple, and it’s hard work! Balance is everything.

Pop a neckstrap on your pony, just in case you wobble a bit and need to grab it (better than pulling on his mouth), and do your homework in walk, trot and canter before you even think about going near the jumps!

Pick up those legs!

Start small – but central!

Don’t skip the basics

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Trotting poles are a great way to get your pony looking where he’s going and picking up his feet.

They’re good for his balance – and yours! Can you stay in your jumping position over a set of poles?

Remember to use three or more poles, at the correct distance for your pony, and ensure you trot over them in a straight line, dead centre! If you can’t, how will you steer over a jump?

get cross!

Adding a cross pole at the end of the poles is a good way to introduce your pony to the idea of jumping straight and central. Sit up between the poles and the jump, to get your leg on to encourage your pony onward. This will help you to see a stride.

e n o y r e v e s e l u r g in p m ju

w o n k d l u o h s

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nteed!

r jumping will improve – guara

Follow our 6 basic rules and you

Missed it!

If you can’t steer, you can’t jump!

Some riders think the rules change when the jumps come out – but the rules of riding still apply, if not more so! Jumping a course of jumps is just schooling patterns, with the occasional obstacle thrown in. If you think of it like this, you should get a good round. If you treat each jump as a separate obstacle, your approach and get-away may be compromised.

Steering is vital. If your pony runs around the jump, it is because you can’t steer. If your pony approaches a jump on a wobbly line, it is because you can’t steer. If your pony doesn’t know which jump he’s supposed to be heading for it is – you’ve guessed it – because YOU CAN’T STEER! So learn to steer! Learn to keep your pony between your leg aids and your rein aids, so you can put him in exactly the right place to jump. Give him the best chance to jump, not the worst!

going look where you are approach difficult are

Wobbly approach!

Eyeball that jump!

Riders who find their always the ones who don’t look where they are going. They’re looking down, or they’re looking at their pony, or anywhere but the jump they’re aiming for! Start looking for your jump from a long way off so you can plan your route, and get the perfect approach.

If you are jumping a course, even as you are jumping one fence, you should be looking for the next. You don’t need to look at your pony – look for the jump!

stay low, get perfect!

It’s no good putting those jumps up if you have trouble getting around a small course. It’s not about height, it’s about technique! If you find your steering is rubbish even when the jumps are low, try replacing the jumps with poles, and treat them in the same, exact way as your jumps.

Once you meet each pole dead centre, from a great approach with good turns, replace them with jumps again. Don’t run before you can walk!

Warming up is vital!

remember to warm up and cool down Your pony shouldn’t be asked to jump as soon as he comes out of the stable or in from the field. Warm up his muscles with five-10 minutes of walking, trotting and cantering, making sure he is in front of your leg and listening to you. If he isn’t, why should he suddenly start when you head for a jump?

Cooling down is just as important.

Walk around on a loose rein and thank your pony for his efforts. Remember to end on a good note, and not to jump for too long. It’s tiring for a pony – he’s the one doing all the leg work!

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r u o y y n o p e v a f r Is you

? h c t a m t c e f per

le says it’s helpful to Free rider Emma Massinga ality your pony has so you know what type of person dle him to bring out his know how to ride and han fect personality match per potential. But are you the out with our quiz! with your fave pony? Find

Emma adjusts pa rts of her personality to wor k with some of her hors es

Answer the questions about your and your fave pony’s personalities and add up whether you have the most blue, yellow or pink answers in both cases. Then find out if you’re a perfect match!

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Your personality What do you do when you arrive at the yard?

Walk onto the yard quietly and go and check if your fave pony is in his stable so you can give him a treat.

Go straight to the tack room to find your friends and catch up on your plans for the day.

Run through the yard gate straight up to your fave pony and throw your arms around him, so he knows you’ve arrived and you love him!

Watch point!

All ponies are individuals, and although certain types of ponies naturally get on better with certain types of people, it doesn’t mean you won’t get on even if you aren’t technically compatible.

It will show you where you might need to tailor your ways of handling or riding your pony. Emma says, “I get on least best with my lead mare, not because she’s not a lovely pony, but because I find her hard to train and I have to change bits of my personality to be able to work with her.”

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You’ve got some spare time between riding and yard chores, what do you do?

Plait your pony’s mane in a new style you saw on the web, and put some coloured chalk in his tail. But it’s only half done because you got bored.

You give your pony a groom, check he has enough hay and water in his stable then leave him to rest while you catch up on the latest horsey novel you’re reading.

You paint your pony’s hooves, and give him lots of fuss while gossiping with your friends about the most recent goings-on at the yard.

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What do you do when you fall off? on what happened. You can try Go home for the day and reflect again another day. g like you can’t do Get upset or lose your temper. You hate feelin g. wron something, or you’ve done something some point or another!

You brush it off. It happens to all riders at

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2

How would you lead your fave pony in from the field?

You make sure you hold the leadrope correctly, and walk quietly alongside his shoulder.

You skip in with your pony trotting along behind you – you just can’t wait to groom and ride him.

You saunter in with your pony on a long rope, telling him all about your plans for the weekend, maybe with one of your mates in tow.

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How would you describe your ridin g style?

You enjoy riding calm, sensible ponies. You’r ea quiet rider with good balance and subtle aids.

Everything you do is aimed at mak ing you a better rider. You want to be the best at everything and love anything that involves speed and jumping.

You’re pretty relaxed and like to ride different types of ponies. You are happy to try new things but aren’t in a rush to progress.

What colour answer applies most to you?

Your pony's personality 1 2 How does your fave pony act in the field with other ponies?

He’s not dominant, he hangs out by himself or one other smaller pony. He lets the more dominant horses have what they want with no fuss.

He’s a very sociable pony who’s often mutu ally grooming with another pony. He likes the dominant ponies but sometimes gets shoo ed away by them. He doesn’t fight for food but isn’t last in line either.

the ground?

How does he behave on or handle ed when you groom He can be a bit reserv long as as for ll sti s nd and sta him. He can be quiet you need him to. and sometimes pulls He can be a bit pushy up. ally when being tacked grumpy faces, especi

pily be caught He’s easy going and will hap s, although he fus l and handled with minima nds! frie his to nap sometimes tries to

He’s dominant and is always at the front of the queue when morning hay arrives. He can be a bit mean to other ponies and often pulls grumpy faces at them.

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He’s willing to learn and enthusiastic.

However, he has his own mind and gets bored quickly.

on a hack?

How does he behave out but nervous to begin with He can be spooky or er oth th wi alone and settles down. He hacks t can become nervous bu s, rse ho nt ina non-dom s. nie hacking with bossy po any He confidently hacks out alone and in comp py if grum gets but , front in out be to likes and other ponies get too close behind him.

He is content to work and enjoys being ridden. He is very trainable if you have a good bond with him.

He likes quiet riders best and can take time to understand new things that you ask him to do.

He’s not spooky and is usually well-behaved. any.

However he does prefer to hack out in comp

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Which of these best describes wha t he’s like to ride?

What colour answer applies most to your fave pony?

How does he react to fuss and attention?

He’s friendly but his tolerance for fuss only lasts so long before he’s had enough.

He’ll happily be fussed over all day.

He likes attention and spending time with people, but he likes time by himself, too.

Confident ponies will hack out alone

are you a perfect match?

Are you...

Your perfect match is yellow! These ponies are described as middle-ranking horses who of most fall in the middle section of the herd. They work well with people always are and horses other with well interact and personality types, to gauge looking for ways to climb up the social ladder. They are the hardest to please willing are they but them, meet first you when lity-wise persona and easy to train.

Mostly pink:

Your perfect match is yellow or blue!

Yellow ponies are middle-ranking ponies easily stressed. They work well with not and ing who are usually easy-go people and are very sociable and love the company of other ponies. ladder Blue ponies are low-ranking ponies at the bottom of the social herd. They and therefore prone to being pushed around by the rest of the and can be suspicious and take a while to learn things, so suit relaxed

Mostly yellow:

patient handlers.

As mostly blue you are a quiet, patient and understanding person, which means you could influence work well with ponies of all personality types. You have a calming ge and on high-ranking ponies – just remember to be positive. You encoura need they time the them give and ponies ing instil confidence in low-rank ponies, just to build a bond. You also work in harmony with middle-ranking very clear make sure you are sure of what you want from them, and give aids and commands to get the best out of them.

Mostly blue: Ponies who are ve ry sociable love to be fussed over

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Choose your class Enter classes which suit you and your pony. You’re on a hiding to nothing entering your wonderful cob in a show pony class, and visa versa. Play to your pony’s strengths and give him a fighting chance to be judged fairly. Don’t forget best rider and young handler classes where your ability will be judged, not your pony’s!

top turnout

Make sure both you and your pony are well turned out

Have fun with your friends!

do your prep

h friends g class? Get together wit Entering a ridden showin d to use s get y pon r you e, so for some trial runs at hom and in-h r . It pays to go over you being ridden with others at wh w kno y you and your pon show, too, to ensure both ? ask you en wh t next to you to do. Does your pony tro m the e? Does he move away fro pos and l stil nd sta Does he if n eve l ping? Will he stand stil other ponies without nap to nds frie e som him – if not, ask the judge wants to stroke practise! pretend to be judges and

Your confidence will soar if you know that you and your pony are immaculately turned out. Remember that for showing, cream or buff jodphurs are best, with brown joddie boots, and either a tweed or black or blue jacket.

Your hair should be fiercely under control, and always wear a tidy shirt and tie and finish off with brown gloves. If you are show jumping, white jodphurs or breeches are allowed, and you can also wear long boots. Avoid wearing any jewellery.

The main thing to remember is that everything must be spotlessly clean and fit you well.

Standing in line

time for a makeover

turnout. Give Don’t forget your pony’s , and if he him a bath the day before its small pla the ke is to be plaited, ma of the ng rni mo the on e and neat, don zle! Oil daz uld sho gs rkin ma ite show. Wh k is tac r you e his hooves and make sur l tack ma nor r you at k spotless. Take a loo wn bro r, alle sm a m fro efit – would it ben pink a of d instea or even a white numnah in pla a ut abo one? A plain girth? How p or flash? noseband instead of a dro g. win sho en wh Less is more

Practise your in hand show

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It’s Show

you’re there!

Log on to ponymag.com for ideas on how to ride a great show, and more showing top tips!

l Arrive at the showground in good time and collect your number from the secretary. Find out in which ring or rings your classes will be held, and keep an eye and ear out – sometimes classes are called early. l Ensure your pony is comfortable and has a haynet to keep him occupied. Offer him a drink regularly until it is time to get ready. l Tack him up before you get yourself ready, so you don’t get dirty – if you have a friend to help you, ask them to hold your pony, and forbid them to let him eat! You don’t want him to spit green gunge over the judge! l Put your number on the right way up (remember what it is!) and make your way to the collecting ring. Make sure the steward ticks off your number as you warm up. l At this point, you will probably be looking at the opposition and your confidence may be taking a bashing – but remember; they’ll be looking at you and thinking the same thing!

Jumping classes can be fun!

in the show ring

Find your own space

general points

d ask him to dence in your pony an In the ring, have confi g, keeping hin rus ut smartly, witho walk, trot and canter them. If one overtakes you, let him balanced. If some cir w, cle away front is going too slo you find the pony in one eye on p the corners and kee into a space. Use all en they are wh ow ward, so you kn the judge and the ste u in. yo ls cal rd wa en the ste looking at you, and wh ve a good d in to line-up, lea When you get calle bour, and igh ne pony and his gap between your u’re the yo – him to ll. Talk ask him to stand sti he knows! only person there show – perform an individual You may be asked to as for ide t go ’ve We unted. mounted and/or dismo . om g.c ma ny po on s show successful individual lk around over, it is time to wa When the class is . Keep s their final decision as the judge make your ss rd so you don’t mi an eye on the stewa y ma u yo , ne a good show be call. If you have do n’t do , wn do o! If you go go up a place or tw ne do ve ha y ma e one els downhearted. Some badly. esn’t mean you did do it ll, we ly lar particu only the , remember that it is Wherever you come ve the best ha u yo ow kn that you judge’s opinion, and und! pony on the showgro

l Be a good sport. Congratulate the winn er of your class – and thank the judge. l Respect your pony. Don’t treat him like a grandstand and sit on him all day. Give him a rest and remember he’ll want some hay and a drink. l Tidy up your rubbish – don’t leave it at the showground.

This includes manure! l Watch some classes to see whether you could enter them. Watching the winners can really teach you something to improve your own performan ce!

Give your pony a rest between classes

wtime!

Entered for any shows this summer?

Make sure you read our top tips before you set off!

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