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Fun grids to
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JUMP!
ue
magazine INSIDE
DIY
Real life
gymkhana
“I ALMOST QUIT RIDING!”
HACKIN PROBLE G MS SOLVED
Meet the cutest ponies ever! 0 8 9
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August 2018 £4.99 Issue 841
In
THE UK’S NO1 PONY MAGAZINE
s d i r G galore!
rids to g e s e h t t a Have a go ony’s jump p improve your
ost – it’ll bo enefits b y n , a ce om onfiden has soo pony’s c n out any r ridwork u o y d n an d iro s is you your ow ition an out grid our pos b y a e g v in ou like, ro h imp best t ed as y t e a h c T li . p s ry... problem as easy or com me ideas to t o s m e re h a ke t fun. Here can ma e great ’r y e h t plus
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Top tip
Distance checker
When you warm up, ride lots of transitions to get your pony listening to you and thinking quickly.
The distances you use to set up your grid will depend on your pony’s stride length. The ones below can be used as a guide for a 14.2hh pony, and you’ll need to adjust them if your pony’s stride is shorter or longer. If you’re not sure, ask your instructor to help you. Trotting poles
1.35m
Placing pole
2.7m
Bounce
3.35–3.6m
One-stride distance
6.7–7.45m
Two-stride distance
9.75–10.5m
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PONY magazine
Gridwork foundations
If you dive straight into jumping a full grid, it could overface your pony. So before you begin, it’s best to... 1. work out your pony’s stride length to lay the poles out at the correct distances 2. ride through the grid with the poles laid on the ground 3. raise the poles into jumps one at a time when you’re ready
T he beginner
Work out your pony’s stride length so you can lay the poles out at the correct distances
This grid is a great way to introduce your fave pony to gridwork, because it makes him look at where he’s putting his feet, then asks for two simple jumps. Set up three trot poles to a cross-pole, followed by two strides to an upright. The distance between the last trot pole and the cross-pole will be the same as a placing pole. Too easy? Turn the second fence into an oxer.
2 strides
Top tip
Keep your legs on to guide your pony straight to the centre of the first fence.
DID YOU KNOW?
Gridwork helps to boost your jumping confidence because, as long as you set the grid up correctly and approach well, the grid will do all the work for you.
PONY magazine
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y i D gymkhana
Get set up
to gin, you’ll need Before you be e lin h is fin art and mark out a st n ca u yo – field in the arena or s blocks or pole p m ju s, ne co use ed u’ll also ne on the floor. Yo ers into teams, rid e th to divide art e a friend to st then nominat races. and judge the
T
aking part in a gymkhana is loads of fun, especially if you come home with a rosette. You can recreate some classic gymkhana games at home to get some practice in or just to have fun with your yard mates, and you don’t need loads of special equipment either. Playing games is also a great way to sneak in some schooling because it can help improve your pony’s balance and flexibility without feeling like you’re working! Here are a few race ideas to get you started...
Bending
s ur bending pole You’ll need... Fo or ks oc bl jump (or you can use 9m (10 strides) 7– t ou ab s) cone apart. This game is How to ride it... g your pony all about gettin as you bend listening to you s. Weave as le between the po rough the th n ca fast as you a, turning poles up the aren pole and around the final s best to try It’ weaving home. first, then once this race in trot nfident, try you’re feeling co h the poles. cantering throug
Star t
Star t
Bending pole
Top tip
Bending is a great race to warm up with and you can leave the bending poles out for the other races, too!
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PONY magazine
Top tip
To help prevent your pony becoming too excited, mix up the order of races so you do a fast one followed by a slow one.
Top tip
You’ll need markers at the top of the arena for each rider to turn round. If you haven’t got bending poles set out, use cones or blocks.
Gallop and lead You’ll need... no extra equipment but nerves of steel! How to ride it... Ride to the top of the arena as fast as you can. Once at the top, dismount and lead your pony down to the finish line as fast as possible.
Ball and racket You’ll need... A tennis racket and ball. How to ride it... You’ll need grea t balancing skills and hand-eye coordination for this race. Line up at the start and ask a teammate to pas s you the racket and ball. Then, whi le balancing the tennis ball on the racket, ride up the arena as fast as you dare. When you reach the top marker, turn around it and ride to the finish line. If you drop the ball, dismount to retrieve it, then remount and continue.
Turn over for more games
PONY magazine
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THE WO
S ’ D L R
Like the idea of a horsey job, but not sure which one? Check out these supercool careers for some inspo!
G
one are the days when you could only choose between being a vet, riding instructor or groom, now there are all sorts of different jobs with a horsey twist. If you put your thinking cap on, you could be a racehorse trainer in Australia, a solicitor who specialises in equestrian law or an artist commissioned to paint the next Valegro! Dream jobs often include lots of hard work, but it’s totally worth it when you’re able to do something you love every day and get paid for it! PONY asked seven young people about their cool horsey jobs to help give you an idea of what they’re like and how they got there...
e t r s y o r y ou
At work
I look after projec ts that help work equines and their ing owners in Centra l America. I can be doing anything fro m organising farri er training from my office in the UK, to meeting go vernment minist in one of my proj ers ect countries!
It all star ted when
I got an opportu nity to volunteer for an animal welfare ch arity in the Caribbean, which inspired me to im prove things in other countries.
REioBnaElCPrCAogramme
Internat rse Officer at World Ho Welfare
I love
working with so many different ty people. They insp pes of ire me and I enjoy visiting the projects. At the end of every day, I can honestly sa I’ve helped someo y ne!
It’s hard work because
my teams are in America, so they Central ’re waking up as I’m going home, which sometimes means long days . The language barrier can be di fficult, too, and I love to chat!
Ten years ago, I wanted to be an
nurse.
In 10 years’ time,
actress, vet or
I hope to have a masters degree in international re lations and may be become a university lecture r... or even a fam ous actress!
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PONY magazine
At work I do everything that comes with running a
clothing business, from creating new designs for XC colours and testing samples, to organising orders and updating the website.
It all started when I studied business, textiles
BECCIer at Super
Owner and Design X Country (SXC)
and art at school, then put myself forward for an opportunity to start a new business with other students. It was such a great experience and I decided to set up a business making my own XC colours. I started small, but soon I was being recommended so much that the business grew and I started an online shop.
I love having fun testing samples and seeing my finished designs going round an XC course!
It’s hard work because I also have another job
alongside SXC, but I’m hoping to go part-time soon so I can spend more time growing it.
Ten years ago, I wanted to be a textiles teacher! In 10 years’ time, I would love to do SXC full time and bring out a full range of equestrian products!
At work
I co-ordinate everything re marketing, w lated to digita hich includes l running the PO and social m NY website edia channels , organising th enthusiasts, e brand videoing on ph otoshoots an the videos yo d creating u see on YouT ube and Face book.
It all star ted when
I got loads of working on ra experience dio and for a clothing com did a marketi pany, and I ng qualificati on, too. I’ve al keen rider, so w ays been a I applied to w ork for PONY. being able to hang out wit photoshoots, h celebs on and getting pr oducts to test and review! photoshoots really long da tend to be ys, but I get to spend the da super-cute po y with nies in the su n, so I can’t co mplain! my dream was to work for PO NY! I w ou ld love to be th Marketing Man e Digital ager somewhe re just as fun such as Disne as PONY, y.
I love
HOLLIEtive at PONY
Marketing Execu magazine
It’s hard work because
Ten years ago, In 10 years’ time,
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