PONY Magazine – March 2019

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Be a

jumping star Ace every fence! how to have

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LEAD POLITELY OMG 10 AWESOME PONY FACTS

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TEACH YOUR PONY TO

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R O F e s r u o c n o

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Top tip

Feel the rhythm

Using canter poles set approx 2.7m apart can help you develop the right pace for jumping. You can use a line of poles on their own or on the approach to a fence.

The secret to acing any type of showjump is creating an energetic, bouncy canter and staying in an even rhythm. Practise this in your schooling sessions, before you start introducing fences.

Make sure you don’t confuse energy with speed, though, as going too fast could lead to refusals because you won’t give your pony enough time to process the fences. Also, speed will make your pony’s body flatten, rather than creating a nice, round shape, which will increase the risk of knocking down poles.

CROSS IT OUT What’s the challenge? A cross-pole is the ideal fence to warm up over as it’s straightforward and inviting. The X-shape helps guide your pony into the middle.

How to ace it Approach in your bouncy showjumping canter and aim for the middle of the cross-pole. Sit up tall, have an even contact on your reins to help keep your pony straight and wrap your legs around his sides so he goes forward with impulsion. Don’t forget to look up and over the fence, too.

Practice makes perfect Introduce cross-poles in trot, then once you’re feeling confident have a go at jumping them in canter.

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Top tip

If you need a bit of extra help finding the right take-off point, use a placing pole. This is a jump pole placed on the ground 2.7m in front of a fence. You can approach in trot or canter.

STRAIGHT UP

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What’s the challenge Made from a pair of jump wings and one or more poles, an upright fence has height, but no width. Some uprights may have fillers, which can make them look spooky.

How to ace it Approach in your positive canter rhythm, on a straight line and aim for the middle.

Practice makes perfect As with any fence, keep things small to start with and build the height It’s a good idea to practise gradually as you and your over fences that are 5cm pony grow in confidence. Also, higher than the ones you’ll practise over upright fences jump in a competition. Then, that look different, too, so the fences will seem much introduce some fillers. easier when you get to a show.

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Top tip

STRAIGHT AND NARROW What’s the challenge? A skinny is just the same as any other upright, but because it’s narrow it can worry you more and change the way you ride.

How to ace it If you and your pony are new to skinnies, start in trot and build up to jumping them in canter. You want to approach a skinny in the same rhythm as any other upright fence, so don’t slow down or speed up. To avoid a run-out make sure you’re super-straight and aim for the middle. It’ll help if you widen your hands a little and wrap your legs around your pony’s sides.

Practice makes perfect When introducing skinnies, start with a low fence and place guide poles on either side to channel your pony into it.

Top tip

To stop yourself worrying so much about the plank itself, you could try putting a jump pole above it.

PLANKS What’s the challenge? Planks are another fence that can worry riders. Because they sit on flat jump cups they’re easier to knock down, and if they’re patterned or brightly coloured they can look spooky.

How to ace it Again, treat planks like a normal upright and concentrate on maintaining your canter rhythm so you get the right take-off point.

This’ll help your pony make a nice shape over the fence, so he’ll be more likely to clear it. If you think he might run out, squeeze him with your legs and don’t forget to look up and ahead.

Practice makes perfect Keep things small to start with, and make sure you practise over planks with different colours and designs.

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Lead

the way Teach your pony to lead politely

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ou spend more time with your fave pony on the ground than riding him, so it’s really important that he’s always polite and obedient to handle. Here’s how you can teach him to walk calmly and quietly by your side.

Get it right

Make sure you always lead your pony in the correct way...

Do lead him from the left side and stay by his shoulder.

Do use clear vocal commands, such as “walk on” or “whoa”.

Don’t get ahead of your pony or try to pull him along.

Don’t fall behind and let his body get ahead of you.

Don’t hold the leadrope too tightly – having a little bit of slack in it will help keep your pony relaxed.

r What to weasa ading fe when you’re le

Top tip

If your pony’s strong, leading him in a bridle should give you more control. Take the reins over his head and hold them in the same way as you would a leadrope.

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Top tip

When doing groundwork with your pony, always use a safe, enclosed space, such as an arena or paddock.

EXERCISE 1 On the move

Walking forward and halting are basic skills and it’s important your pony does them obediently.

Top tip

Aim to work on your pony’s groundwork skills at least once a week. As well as making him easier to lead, it’ll improve his obedience under saddle, too.

Here’s how...

1. Stand by your pony’s shoulder and ask him to “walk on”, then step forward. If he goes with you that’s great, so praise him with your voice. If he doesn’t, ask again. If you find he’s reluctant to move at all, change the question by turning him away from you, which should encourage him to move. After a few steps, halt and then try again.

2. When your pony’s walking forward, lead him around the arena and choose a place to halt.

You could set out a cone to use as a marker or pick an arena letter to stop next to.

3. As you approach the marker, slow your own pace and say “whoa”. Follow this straightaway with a little pressure on the leadrope, and stand still. If your pony halts, reward him with a pat or a scratch, but if he continues walking, repeat the vocal command and apply a little more pressure on the rope.

4. After a few seconds in halt, ask him to walk on again. Don’t forget to give the vocal command first, then walk forward with purpose.

5. Repeat the exercise, choosing different places in the arena to halt.

If you practise this exercise regularly, you’ll soon find that your pony reacts as soon as you give him a voice command.

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