PONY Magazine - September 2022

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horsey ways to have fun!

jumping exercise!

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Sept 2022 £4.99 Issue 894 DJMurphy

Cross-over CROSS-OVER Have a go at This Esme’s super-fun accuracy exercise

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ooking for a fun way to boost your accuracy and try something new? Why not have a go at this cool cross-over jumping exercise? All you’ll need is two poles and two wings, so it’s easy to do even if you’re short on equipment – here’s how.

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TOP TIP

Remember, if at any point your pony starts to feel overwhelmed, you can always go back a step to rebuild his confidence.

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Set it up

Place one pole along the centre line over X with two wings or blocks and raise one end – just a few centimetres is fine.

Then, put another pole underneath to create a cross shape.

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2 Get warmed up

Start by warming up your pony in walk, trot and canter. Ride around the wings and poles so he gets used to them and feels more confident when you ask him to go over the poles. Focus on riding him straight and making square turns to prepare you for approaching the obstacle.

TOP TIP

If your pony’s easily excited by poles, work over a single pole in your warm-up to get him listening to your aids.

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Knight in shining

armour All you need to know about body protectors

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o matter what activities you do with your pony, a body protector can give you added confidence because it’s designed to keep you safe should you take a tumble. It’s also an essential piece of kit if you’re heading out on the cross-country course. So, let’s get the all-important lowdown.

OUR EXPERT

Claire Willia ms is Execut ive Director and Secretary at the British Eq uestrian Trad e Association

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Feeling fit Your body protector will only offer you the best protection if it fits correctly and covers the parts of your body that it’s supposed to. It’s important that it fits snugly so it doesn’t move when you’re wearing it and interfere with your riding.

When you’re buying a body protector, always get it fitted by a BETA trained retailer. They will be able to offer you the best possible advice. You should also check the fit yourself regularly so you can adjust it. Your body protector should…

• fit closely over your shoulders with no gaps • cover your collarbone • come just below the lowest point of your bottom rib • go up to and just over the bone at the bottom of your neck • have a clear gap between your saddle and the base of the body protector – about 7cm is ideal Some body protectors have coloured markers on the shoulder and side adjustments that are used to help determine whether it fits you. If you can see the coloured markers, it means the body protector doesn’t fit and it’s likely you’ll need to go up a size.

Up to standard Although body protectors are made to three levels of performance, levels one and two are only allowed in horse racing. Level three body protectors are suitable for all Pony Club and Riding Club activities, as well as affiliated showjumping and eventing. There are two level three labels to look out for that’ll give you the highest level of protection…

• BETA 2009 level three purple label • BETA 2018 level three turquoise label

TOP TIP

The BETA 2009 level 3 won’t be accepted after the end of 2024, so next time you replace your body protector, make sure you look for the 2018 version!

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