Training Tips from Ros Canter on Jumping at Home
Looking for training tips on jumping your horse when at home? Then you will want to read this article…
FEI World Number One Event Rider and Equipe-sponsored rider, Ros Canter was kind enough to lend a hand and share her top tips on how you can improve jumping at home to help prepare for a competition.
Setting yourself up for success
Ros explains:
Start warming up with a small show jump, both you and your horse must be looking at the fence and riding in a balanced canter, with impulsion, to jump the fence well.
When approaching a fence you must keep a strong core position, sit calmly and let the jump come to you. Keep control, but ensure your hands are low and together, so the horse can focus on the jump without you trying to do too much. Maintain positive riding and keep your leg on as you approach the jump. You want your horse to be confident, in balance, and concentrating.
Regardless of the jump, look beyond it and try to land straight and in a secure position. The key is to always look ahead to the next jump and where you are going.
Ros Canter
You must trust your horse to find a stride to the jump and not interfere too much as this will only put the horse off and cause confusion.
Keep a quiet contact on the rein, with your hands low and body in a secure position. Once you’re on the jump line, your eyes must stay focused beyond the fence as this will help direct your horse in a confident way to tackle the jump. The horse will need to find his feet and understand what they need to do without just following your lead all the time. When jumping there are many occasions that a horse has to think for itself and the sooner he learns how to cope in those situations the better. Especially when going cross-country, there are many instances when a horse may be required to use a ‘third leg’ to stay upright.
Let your horse choose where they want to set off from, don’t chase them or drop your hands, rather create strength through your body and don’t fight them through the rein but keep a consistent contact.
ros canter
The big picture
It is important to follow these principles in both show jumping and cross country training. If you have a problem or if your horse is getting strong, halt for a minute so that you can both relax and try again.
Cross country fences may appear daunting, but keeping calm with soft hands and aiming for the middle is the best thing to do. Poles on either side of the fence in a V shape can help keep the horse straight and focused.
3 more tips …
- When riding a course turn with your body and steer from the outside, not just by using the reins, again keep your contact as quiet as possible.
- Always look where you are going, keep the reins steady and if you feel tense look above the fence and ride forward over the jump.
- Always finish with a big pat, try not to over phase the horse, just keep everything calm and do what you both feel comfortable doing. At the next schooling session, you can then progress further.
About Ros Canter’s sponsor, Equipe
The Equipe range of saddles and accessories has been created with the highest quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail and are used by leading event riders around the world. Each saddle is manufactured to satisfy the demands of both the rider and the horse whatever the equestrian discipline. For further information please contact Zebra Products visit www.zebraproducts.co.uk
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.