TRAINING TIPS FOR THE MORE ESTABLISHED JUMPING HORSE

Moving it up a notch... Training Tips for the More Established Jumping Horse4

Whether we are training our horses for pleasure or business, it's best to keep them fresh, active, and interested in their work. Many top trainers are the first to say they keep jumping to a minimum when at home for various reasons, the most prominent being to not over jump the horse ahead of competition. Keeping the horse on its toes (of hooves if you prefer) can prove invaluable when adding that extra spring to the stride when competing against the clock and riding a clear round. Which leads us to the question; when at home, what's the best type of training we should be doing when it comes to jumping a more experienced horse? To help answer this question, showjumper and trainer Bex Mason returns with her four top tips for the more established showjumping horse.

Tip 1

It’s so vital to keep your horses fresh and loving the job. A variety of work is not only great for their brain but training a variety of muscle groups is also essential to helping your horse stay fit and strong in their bodies. Their brain is always developing and changing too, so you want to keep things fresh and focused by mixing it up. Our horses regularly go into a big field and do canter work, do hill work up the lanes and go in the arena to do poles and exercises at least two or three times a week. This work is always with the mantra of being forward in the bridle, balanced and soft.

“I go back to the basics regularly. It’s only ever going to help improve your ride in the ring.

Bex Mason, showjumper

Tip 2

With a more established horse use your flatwork as the equivalent of yoga sessions. Stretch and encourage them to move and use their body. It’s great to start off with forward, long and free movements for 10-15 minutes, then pick up the work to more elevated uphill work before finishing with some long and low stretching throughout the paces.

Tip 3

I go back to the basics regularly. It’s only ever going to help improve your ride in the ring. Raised trot poles and cavaletti training helps fire off the jumping muscles that the horses need to perform without putting strain on the joints by jumping big fences. These exercises also allow you as a rider to improve your focus, rhythm, straightness. I regularly build a course of fences at cavaletti height with a few bounces and related distances.

Tip 4

Finally, make sure you pick and choose your classes. With a more established horse you want to choose your goals for the season and work out what is the best route to get there, whether it’s that you need a certain number of points, experience at a certain height or in a type of arena. There is no need to jump two classes at every show every week if you’re both comfortable and confident. Save those jumps for the important classes.

To learn more about Bex Mason, including horses and services on offer visit www.bexmasonshowjumping.co.uk