PONY Magazine – November 2018

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IMPROVE your

jumping position Improve your jumping position and feel more secure in the saddle over fences

J

umping can be great fun, but if you’re not feeling secure in the saddle it can really knock your own and your pony’s confidence.

A correct jumping position will not only help you feel more secure in the saddle, but it can also help your pony jump better, meaning you’re more likely to achieve a clear round.

Top tip

Practise your jumping position in front of a mirror at home to help you perfect it.

Perfect your position

Your jumping position isn’t just the shape you make over the fence, it’s the continuous movement from sitting up on the approach, folding over the fence, then returning to your upright position.

To get into the right position for jumping over a fence, think about... l moving your hips down and back l folding slightly at the waist and getting into a squat position as your shoulders come forwards l pushing your weight down through your legs into your heels l keeping your head up so you look through your pony’s ears

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PONY magazine

Practice makes perfect

Get into your jumping position on the ground a few times so you get to know the feeling of what you’re aiming for. Once you’ve got the hang of it, give it a try on board your pony. Start in walk, then progress to cantering around the arena, going into your jumping position while riding down the long side of the arena, then sitting up on the short side.

Repeat this a few times until you feel really secure and confident moving into your forward position.

The more you practise your jumping position, the more secure it’ll become as your muscles get stronger.

Turn over

Top tip

Use a neckstrap or hold the front of the saddle when you first practise in canter to help you keep your balance.

PONY magazine

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S ’ T E L GO

round again Learn how to ace 10m circles and make schooling fun

S

mall circles are brilliant for making your pony supple and if you can ride a 20m circle well, there’s no reason why you can’t ride a great 10m circle, too! Apart from the size, there’s not that much difference and all the same rules apply... l make sure your circle is round, not egg-shaped l your pony should follow the shape of the circle and have a soft bend through his body l sit up straight and look ahead in the direction you want to go

Pace yourself

Introduce 10m circles in walk, but make sure your pony is super-active – he should feel like he’s marching forward. When you’ve both got the hang of small circles in walk, you can have a go in trot.

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PONY magazine

Ho w to ride a perfect 10m circle do les has more to Acing 10m circ s, in re ur yo aids than ur with your leg yo on ly re to mpted so don’t be te st ju ill turn, as this w inside rein to d... ur pony. Instea unbalance yo e girth th on g side le l apply your in nd your pony to be to encourage around it to side rein a little l open your in le rc ci d the guide him roun tside leg just ou ur yo e l plac to stop his h behind the girt out ng gi in his quarters sw e rein against id ts ou ur l hold yo he d lp s shoulders an neck to turn hi ze the right si keep the circle u look where yo d an l sit up tall to go want your pony

C

Exercise 1: Work it out

Start by riding a 10m circle from the track at B (or E), because it’s easier to get the size of the circle right.

In a 20x40m arena, your 10m circle will touch the track and the centre line, passing over X.

3.

4.

M

10m

E

B

K

HOW TO RIDE IT...

1.

2.

Centre line

H

F

A

Place two cones or blocks either side of X. In walk, ask for a little inside bend by opening your inside hand and applying your inside leg on the girth, then leave the track at B to ride your 10m circle.

Ride between the cones, so you go over X. Continue to circle until you return to the track at B, then ride straight.

When you’re feeling confident, try riding 10m circles in other areas of the school.

Top tip

When your pony has the right amount of bend on a circle, you should just be able to see the corner of his inside eye.

➤ PONY magazine

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