In this feature. . .
Our expert
Tania Grantham is a dressage rider and trainer who made the move up to Grand Prix with her top horse in 2019. She specialises in innovative polework formations and holds clinics all over the South East.
As told to Bethany Searby. Photos: Jon Stroud
Our model
➤ Crack
straightness once and for all
Poles to solve your problems PART FOUR: THE TARGET
In the final part of this series, Tania Grantham presents the ultimate layout that’s just as much about the absence of poles as it is riding over them
Owned by Tania’s mum, Tina, Samarino (Sam) is a 2006 Westphallian gelding who Tania has produced all the way to Grand Prix from scratch.
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I
t may sound counter-intuitive, but sometimes your polework session can be more about the poles you don’t ride over. Allow me to introduce the target – the layout you can get a whole ride out of without going over a single pole.
You can use the target throughout your session from the very beginning and in this layout precision’s the name of the game. It’s especially useful for practising straightness, transitions and circles – all the skills you need command of when riding a test at any level.
➤
In the saddle
➤ Develop
a higher degree of collection ➤ Practise direct transitions
The target’s a hefty layout, but you can reap its benefits with as few as six poles
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In this feature. . . Our expert
As told to Rebecca Philpot. Photos: Jon Stroud
Jay Halim is a top British showjumper and much-loved equestrian personality. He balances producing his string of horses with teaching and coaching from his Cotswold base, as well as breeding sports horses under his JTH prefix. He rides Fiddle, a dark bay mare owned by Steven and Sara Brooks.
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➤ Perfect
straightness over poles and fences
In the saddle
➤ Practise
squaring off your turns ➤ Choose your landing leg
The path to straightness with Jay Halim
Ready to take your jump training to the next level? Jay shares two simple exercises to test your horse over the poles
I
f you read the last instalment, you’ll remember that straightness is one of the single qualities that can make the biggest impact on whether or not your horse jumps clear. And, if we’re being totally honest, it’s one of the easiest to neglect in favour of more exciting exercises when you’re working on your horse’s technique.
However, if you want to give yourself the best chance of leaving the poles safely nestled in their cups, it’s well worth the time it takes to get your horse’s body in order. Once you’re confident you’ve mastered this skill on the flat, take the challenge a step further by trying a new layout that’s as tough as it is rewarding.
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Fitter horse, fitter you Photos: Jon Stroud
PART TWO: PERFORMANCE CONSTRUCTION Fitness experts Fizz Marshall and Lottie Lodge help you create a fitness programme for you and your horse that really works
Our expert
Fizz Marshall has worked with all types of horses in her six years as Centre Manager at the Equine Therapy Centre at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire. More recently she’s trained racehorses for Jonjo O’Neill and been Yard Manager for Carl Hester.
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Our expert
Lottie Lodge BSc MSc is a sports rehabilitator. She currently works for the military as an exercise rehabilitation instructor. She has previously worked in rugby up to Championship level and has ridden throughout her life across all the disciplines.
W
ith the summer tantalisingly close, using a programme to boost your and your horse’s fitness will help make achieving your riding goals, whatever they
may be, a reality. Once you know your baseline – you’ll find helpful and easy-to-follow horse and human fitness tests to help you gauge this in last month’s issue – you’ll be ready to kick-start a dual fitness programme. Here’s how to tailor one that’s ideal for you both.
When to start
When you start to work on your horse’s fitness depends on your end goal, so work backwards from what you’re aiming to achieve. If you want to make the most of post-work hacking in the daylight, for example, you’ll need to start sooner than if you’re aiming for an end-of-season BE90. Your horse’s current level of fitness will also play a big part – bear in mind
that if he’s had a few months off, it’ll take longer to build him up than a horse who’s been ticking over through the winter. As a rough guide, a horse who’s enjoyed an extended break of eight weeks or more will take around 12 to return to full fitness. However, your horse should be treated as an individual, so consider his specific needs and any underlying conditions he might have before you get started.
Management know-how
With fun, productive and varied programmes for you and your horse, getting fit doesn’t have to be a chore
Fitter horse Take a peak
Peaks and troughs are customary in athletic training schedules and a horse’s should be no different. Attempting to keep your horse at a high level of fitness endlessly may result in overtraining and a greater risk of injury. It’s therefore important to map out your goals for the year and aim to peak your horse’s fitness level at these points, allowing for respite in between. That doesn’t mean a total holiday after every competition, more that you take your foot off the pedal for a time. Spend a week hacking at a lower intensity or improve specific aspects of his performance in short sessions before gearing up again.
TOP TIP
If your horse has had a shorter holiday, allow at least one week for every week off to build him back up. For instance, a four-week break will require you to spend a minimum of about a month gradually returning his work to normal again.
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