[Lil.Red-Enza]

I think the pole after sounds VERY stupid and dangerous..=(...if the horse landed ON the pole it could separate it's samoid bone and would never be able to be ridden again.

[Shotgun93]

The thing is, is that in normal competition, there is one standard set of measurements, and since like you said, everyone's horse is different, your horse has to learn how to jump awkward things, especially if you do cross country.
You have to learn how to jump at angles, weird distances, over odd jumps and everything in between. Practicing weird jumps and distances will prepare not only your horse, but you too for these situations, and you will see them. Your horse needs to learn where his feet are and how to move through weird bounces.
I remember a bounce combo at a horse trial once that caused a lot of problems. It was a skinny log that was really wide, and a bounce to another log. Well, they placed the distances correctly, but didn't take into consideration the width of the log itself. When we walked the course, we said that is was wrong and figured out how to ride to it, but a lot of people just assumed that it was correct. There were some nasty wrecks b/c horses didn't know how to get themselves out of the situation.
After seeing that, we made sure that we practiced all sorts of wierd grids and combos, just like what you described. So, I guess I don't think that it's very dangerous, as long as the people riding were confident jumpers.

[Queenie_Lover01]

I don't really jump yet. But it doesnt sound good

[ches]

Well a pole after a jump sounds like a silly thing to do and potentially dangerous, yes. The angles, however, not, but could be silly depending on the size of the jumps. If they were 18" or 2' jumps, it sounds like a great exercise, as Shotgun93 said, but if they were bigger, then it sounds like you guys were out of your depth.

[Haas Horse Farm]

Originally Posted by Shotgun93

The thing is, is that in normal competition, there is one standard set of measurements, and since like you said, everyone's horse is different, your horse has to learn how to jump awkward things, especially if you do cross country.
You have to learn how to jump at angles, weird distances, over odd jumps and everything in between. Practicing weird jumps and distances will prepare not only your horse, but you too for these situations, and you will see them. Your horse needs to learn where his feet are and how to move through weird bounces.
I remember a bounce combo at a horse trial once that caused a lot of problems. It was a skinny log that was really wide, and a bounce to another log. Well, they placed the distances correctly, but didn't take into consideration the width of the log itself. When we walked the course, we said that is was wrong and figured out how to ride to it, but a lot of people just assumed that it was correct. There were some nasty wrecks b/c horses didn't know how to get themselves out of the situation.
After seeing that, we made sure that we practiced all sorts of wierd grids and combos, just like what you described. So, I guess I don't think that it's very dangerous, as long as the people riding were confident jumpers.

I agree.... I also think it may have been a little much for the level of the riders. If the riders were at a level that was able to deal with this we would not be having this discussion. LOL I can remember all the grids I rode when I was that young... I was really thankful when I rode a very tough outdoor couse that had a lot of weird angles and slides on the offside, water jumps, etc.

What I would want to know is if the instructor explained the course and walked it with the club members first? Was the course explained as far as how to ride it and what the objective of the grid was? I know I often still think in strides, even though I have no jumped in several years... (LOL Old habits die hard!)

Once you learn how to count your strides and adjust them according to what the surroundings provide you will enjoy jumping that much more.

I think the instructor gave too much at once and should have taken this in a step by step method... meaning learn the angle first, then learn the stride adjustment, then put them together.

I think the students were asked to dance without learning the maneuvers or what the song was first! For that reason I think it is dangerous... Anything involving horses is dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. Like the commercial says "Do not try this at home!" So every kid in the neighborhood is out there doing it.

Hopefully someone with a little more insight will plan something for the club that will help build confidence and self esteem while providing fun and knowledge for these students.

[JumpsxGlory]

I'm a bit confused... Not sure I understand really...

[cowgurly02]

LOL This thread is like 2 years old.

[JumpsxGlory]

Whoops!! lol