PONY Magazine – February 2015

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Saddle up – step-by-step

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February 2015 £3.49 Issue 795

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Posters

Riding school pony’s diary

part 6 Skinnies and drop jumps

This month, fourI eventer Lauren Shannon has some brilliant advice for Lottie and her pony, Bill, who are tackling skinnies and drop jumps!

X

-Country

basics!

Skinny jumps

Skinnies are narrow jumps with no wings – enticing your pony to run around them, instead of jumping! This means you need to make sure your pony is betwen your leg and hand, on a short, show jumping stride, so you keep your control. Gallop at them flat out and he’ll just go around them!

“As you approach a skinny jump, keep your show jumping canter, and your shoulders back,” Lauren reminds Lottie, as she heads Bill towards the skinny.

Lottie and Bill take the skinny in good style and Lauren tells them what a good job they did!

Lottie and Bill clear the skinny with ease!

WATCH your position!

es how a rider can Here, Lottie demonstrat ns they jump. As Lottie lea influence their pony as ing try r, he low fol to right to the right, Bill drifts r tral. This is a particula cen t igh we r he ep to ke ’t can ny po g skinnies – your problem when jumpin l, tra cen y sta u ink! Do yo help but follow you! Th affect your pony? ion sit po ur yo es or do

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Lottie leans right, and so does Bill!

Drop jump followed by a skinny Not many people enjoy drop jumps. As you go into them, it can feel like you’re on top of a mountain and if the rider holds their breath and seizes up, what do you think their pony is going to do?

“Riders often forget to sit up,” says Lauren. “Don’t be tempted to curl down – sit up with your shoulders back, that is the secret to staying secure in the saddle. Keep your heels down and your legs forward, but keep them close to your pony so you can encourage him forward.”

watchpoint! ps Start with small drop jum s. one ger big the to up and work pony! r you or you ce rfa ove Don’t

“To ride a drop and a skinny combo, you need to ride with more purpose and enough energy to make sure that as you land, your pony is still moving toward the next jump,” says Lauren. “For the three strides between this drop and the skinny, keep your shoulders up in case Bill pops in an extra stride,” she tells Lottie.

Lottie and Bill tackle the combination

“Ride with rhythm,” Lauren reminds Lottie as she heads Bill towards the jump. “And keep your position – no landing in a heap on your pony’s neck!”

Sitting centrally, Lottie looks toward the second jump as she jumps the first – and so does Bill!

This ensures they take a great line and jump well.

Lottie and Bill jump the combination in fine style!

Thanks to HitAir for their help with this feature!

Next month: Don’t miss our brilliant new show jumping series – only in PONY Magazine!

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Make

2015

your

most confident

ever!

riding year –

If you’re nervous when you ride, try our ideas to make 2015 the year you ride with confidence!

What’s holding you back?

Many factors can make you nervous when you ride. Tick off which ones sound familiar:

When I ride... ... I stress that other people in my riding lesson are laughing at me, or are thinking I’m useless ... I don’t think I have much control over the ponies I ride ... I think my instructor will ask me to do something I can’t do ... I’m scared because I recently had a fall List any other worries you have here

1.

2.

3.

2.

Are you concerned that you don’t have much control over the ponies you ride? The worst thing you can do is sit and do nothing, hoping the ponies will be kind to you. Ponies like a rider who takes control, who gives them signals, who is in charge! They’re looking for a leader! Can you be that rider?

Okay, let’s take another look at that list and see if we can overcome some jitters!

1.

Stressing about what other people are thinking of you when you ride? The chances are they’re far too busy worrying about their own fears, to judge you and your riding!

Action plan!

l Next time I ride, I’m going to pretend the other riders aren’t there. I don’t know they’re judging me! l It doesn’t matter what they think – I can do things they can’t do, and they can do things I can’t do. That’s always the case. l If they’re judging me, they can’t be concentrating on their own riding. I’m going to concentrate on my riding!

Don’t worry about others

Action plan!

l Next time I ride, I’m going to be in charge!

I’m not just going to leave all the decision-making to the pony. l Next time I ride, I’m going to decide what I want my pony to do, and ask him to do it! l Next time I ride, if the pony I ride takes no notice of me, I’m going to ask him with more determination. I’m the one in charge!

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Take control!

3.

If you’re worry is that your instructor will ask you to do something you can’t do, or have never done before, than understand that it’s her job to push you a bit. But remember that she knows you and the pony, and understands what you can and can’t do. You need some faith in your instructor – try what she asks. You’ll be amazed at how your riding improves. If you don’t push yourself, you’ll stay at the same standard for ever and ever – who wants that?

Action plan! l Next time my instructor asks me to do something, I’m going to give it a go! l I’m going to believe in myself. I’m going to push myself and try new things. l I’m going to keep in mind that good riders push themselves a little at a time. That’s how good riders get to be great riders!

4.

Trust in your instructor – and yourself!

I’m scared because I recently had a fall

This is a real problem – because falling off can hurt and it can shake you up a bit.

It’s not nice. But understanding that can take off some pressure. Don’t think you should just laugh off a fall. Great if you can, but give yourself some time to be brave again.

Action plan!

will fall l I’ll remember that everyone who rides that rare off at some time or another. But it’s falling off results in an injury. doesn’t l Just because I fell off once or twice, it of lots n ridde I’ve time! every off fall mean I’ll me, with are times without falling off, so the odds not against me!

I don’t l I can ride different ponies, and make sure to need I me. for much too are h whic ride those pony er quiet A work up to riding the difficult ones. about it. will be good for a while, until I feel better

So did you list some worries of your own? Now you’ve read our ideas for the ones we’ve listed, make your own action plan for any other worries you’ve added!

Ride with confidence!

Good luck!

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