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SCHOOL YOUR PONY OUT
HACKING
body e g a u g lan
A jump 4 joy
showjump
Esme’s tips for
XC CONFIDENCE
0 8 9
770032 425973
3 July – 31 July 2019
August 2019 £4.99 Issue 854
y n o p d n a t Unders
Win! PONYMAG.COM
calm and confident This Esme sho ws you how to be increase your confidence over cross-countr y fences
D
o you ever feel nervous before a crosscountry competition or when you’re schooling over natural fences? I know I do! But, don’t panic, there are loads of ways you can build your confidence and perfect your XC skills at home, so soon you and your fave pony will be flying round courses with ease.
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PONY magazine
DID YOU KNOW?
A forward seat is often called a two-point position, because you only have two points of contact with your pony – your legs and hands.
Top tip
ion oss-country Getbyinthinpkiongsait bout your cr ’ll need to
Start nces you between fe is called position. In back, which ’s ny o p r u nced and get up off yo u’re not bala yo If t. u a se ard seat, yo a forward ing in a forw d off, ri ll en fa h w to secure u’re likely yo h g u o th s ock. This might feel a nfidence kn co t n a your st in you perfect which is an way to help sy ea n a exercise position.
Top tip
Arena mirrors are really useful for checking your position as you ride, or ask a friend to film you so you can spot any areas you might need to improve on.
You can even practise your crosscountry position out on hacks.
Exercise: 1
POSITION PERFECT
Once your pony is thoroughly warmed up, it’s time to practise your forward seat.
How to ride it...
1.
Put up your stirrups at least three holes shorter than your flatwork length. This’ll make it easier for you to balance and maintain your posit ion. 2. Push your weight down through your knees and into your heels, and ask your pony to walk on. 3. When you turn down the long side of the arena, pull your hips back so you’re standing in your stirrups. Look between your pony’s ears, so your back is straight, and keep your legs firmly against his sides, close to the girth. 4. When you reach the short end of the arena, relax and sit back in the saddle. Then stand in your stirrups again down the next long side. 5. Feeling confident? Have a go in trot and canter! It may take a few practice sessions befo re you feel totally secure riding in a forward seat. So, don’t worry if you feel a bit wobbly at first. Just relax and sit back in the saddle, then try again.
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Top tip
EXERCISE 2: ON A LOOP
Ride a series of shallow loops to create a mini serpentine.
Shallow loops help improve your pony’s suppleness and bend, and they’re really easy to try on a hack. How to ride it 1. Find a track that’s at least 5m wide, and ride down the left-hand side. 2. Ask your pony to bend by opening your right rein a little and pressing your right leg against the girth. Then start to ride a smooth curve that touches the other side of the track. 3. When you reach the other side, ask for a change of bend by opening your left hand and pressing your left leg against the girth. 4. Finish your loop by curving back to the track, then ride straight again. 5. Swap sides and ride a loop in the other direction.
Exercise 3: All square ’t halt during a hack isn Asking your pony to ge ssa dre ur yo se cti just a great way to pra obedience, too. He’ll his ve pro im l it’l s, ve mo patiently if you need be more likely to wait ow a vehicle to pass. to open a gate or all
Top tip
Set yourself the challenge to ride a transition every time you pass a tree or fence post.
How to ride it re your pony’s 1. In walk, make su ing three or listening to you by rid ntly sponge ge , four half-halts. So pony’s sides ur yo ld ho the reins and on him to wait for a fracti with your legs to ask . ain ag rd wa e for of a second, then rid tion, lts have got his atten ha lfha the en Wh 2. uare halt by ride forward into a sq oulders sh ur yo h wit l sitting tal ng the reins back, gently squeezi bones at se and pushing your give n If you can’t feel when ca u Yo le. into the sadd to your pony’s performed d an mm co ice him a vo be t a square halt, ride with no y ma He . too , “halt” middle a friend who can let expecting to halt in the if it takes you know. of a hack, so it’s fine first. at p sto to ps ste him a few for 3-5 seconds, 3. Ask him to wait ain by then walk forward ag ur legs and yo h wit squeezing him nds. allowing with your ha ing from walk-togo se, rci exe the at 4. Repe pond as soon as res to rt halt and he’ll sta . you give him the aid
Top tip
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