PONY Magazine – October 2018

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f e o s r r u o c on

success Planning to take your fave pony to a hunter trial this autumn? Here’s all you need to kno w

H

unter trials are brilliant fun to take part in because you get to canter through the countryside on your fave pony, soaring over natural fences. Here’s everything you need for a successful day out...

PERFECT PREPARATION Hunter trials are hard work for your pony as he’ll have to canter over varied terrain and jump lots of fences, so make sure you build up his fitness gradually before the competition to help prevent injury.

It’s also important that you’ve practised different crosscountry fences, including ditches, Some hunte water, steps and r trial venu es allow you to drops, so you go cross-co untry sc h o o lin g, which mea and your pony ns you can practise are confident some of the fe n ces that m jumping them. ight be incl uded in your class .

DID YOU KNOW?

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Talking tack

Some ponies get a bit excited when they’re cantering in the open, so you might need a bit more control. Ask your instructor for advice and if they recommend a different bit or noseband, try it at home first. You may also want to consider boots to protect your pony’s legs, but they must fit well so they don’t slip down or rub.

It’s also important to check your saddle and bridle regularly to make sure the stitching and leather are strong, so there’s no risk of them breaking while you’re on the course. You’ll need to get your tack checked by a steward before you can start your round, too.

DID YOU KNOW?

T TO WEAR WHA up-toIt goes without saying that you’ll need an

crossstandard riding hat and body protector for have you if t jacke air country, and you can wear an the grip you help to too, , rtant one. Gloves are impo s. hand your ct prote reins and to hunter You can have fun with your clothes at a a trial and you’re allowed to wear colourful long-sleeve top and hat cover. A base layer or rugby style top will be fine, or you could get a cross-country top When you collect your made in your fave colours! number bib from the secretary, you’ll usually be asked for a deposit, so take the right money with you. You’ll get this back when you return the bib after your round.

You can often wa lk a hunter trial cour se the day before a co mpetition, so make sure yo u check the schedule.

Top tip

You’ll need to get your tack checked by a steward before you can start your round

Walk this way

You’ll need to walk the course before your class, but take a look at the map first so you know how the fences in your class will be marked.

Usually, different classes have different coloured numbers on the fences – if you’re not sure, ask the secretary.

There’s a lot to think about when you walk a hunter trial course – you’ll need to remember a long course of fences and keep an eye out for things that could affect your ride, such as tricky terrain. As well as looking at the number of the fences, think about how you need to approach each one. Maybe you’ll need to use a bit more leg at the ditch or water, for example.

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Be a o r p k r o w e l o p Spice up your schooling sessions with these fun pole exercises

P

olework has huge benefits for your pony.

Not only can it help improve his straightness and suppleness, but his core strength and balance, too. However, there’s lots more you can do than a simple line of trotting poles.

These fab formations will allow you to incorporate loads of super-fun polework exercises into your schooling.

Diamonds are forever This pole layout is perfect for helping you test your fave pony’s straightness, and accuracy on turns and circles. Plus, it’ll help encourage him to bend.

You will need...

Twelve poles of equal length for the full layout or eight poles to create a smaller layout of two diamonds.

The set up The full layout is made from three diamonds. Use four poles to create a diamond at X, then add another diamond on either side along the centre line.

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Exercise 1: Transitions

Trot

Transitions are a great way to get your pony listening to you, as well as helping you with your accuracy.

Walk

Exercise 1 Exercise 2 Exercise 3

How to ride it... Approach one of the poles in trot. Once your pony steps into the diamond, ask for a transition to walk, then walk across the diamond.

As your pony steps over the next pole, ask for trot again.

Exercise 2: Ace the centre line

Being able to ride a straight centre line is superimportant because you’ll be able to pick up a few extra marks in a dressage test, but it can be tricky to master.

Exercise 3: About turn

This exercise is great for helping your pony stay balanced on a turn.

How to ride it... Turn down the centre line in walk or trot and ride towards the centre of the pole pattern, using the points of the diamonds as markers to help you stay straight. Once you’ve mastered the centre line, you can make the exercise more tricky by riding along the outside edge of the three diamonds.

Top tip

If you’re not straight on the approach, your pony will find the striding difficult.

How to ride it...

Ask your pony for a forward trot and ride a circle at C. Make sure part of your circle goes over the top of the first diamond – you should get two or three strides through the diamond. Try to maintain your rhythm as you trot over the poles.

Top tip

Always make sure you ride each exercise equally on both reins to help your pony build up muscle evenly.

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