Jumping exercises

Madamoiselle · 05-08-2008, 05:24 PM

Hey guys, I have a show coming up pretty quickly on the 1st.

I'm trying to get some last minute schooling in-I'm recovering from an unexpected bout of mono.

So the things I'm trying to tackle are a consistent slower canter to the fence, I'm trying to polish up my eq.(chickenarrrrrrms), and I'd like to work some grids.

I'm not too worried about the show simply because it's his first-if he goofs, he goofs and if I goof then I goof, it's no big deal. The highest he'll be going is 2'6 anyway.

Wait..I forgot the whole point of this post. Anyywayyy, I was looking to get some good jumping exercises including grids, patterns, etc., etc.

Wounded · 05-08-2008, 07:05 PM

Roll backs, tight lines, long lines, bounces, bounce poles and like you said grids.

I think it goes without saying that flat work comes first though. Make sure he's reaching the stride when you soften the reins, and coming back when you sit deep. Make sure he's moving off of your leg laterally. Practice half passes, shoulder-ins, haunches-in, half pirouettes (at the walk) and leg yielding. Make sure he's bending and flexible. Its good that you're working on the collected canter but be sure that he remains supple, the last thing you want is a horse that gets stuck behind your leg and over the bit.

You can also work on getting/switching leads over a jump as it's a very good skill to develop early on. You don't want to waste time fussing with the horse around the turn.

Another thing to work on is taking jumps at an angle. If you're going to a jumping show and there is a jump off to cut back on time you may have to get in on an angle as to get a better line to a next jump. Either way you want to accustom the horse to as many different approaches you can think of.

Also you may want to create a 'liver pool' by putting a blanket underneath the jump, or draping it over the top rail to give the jump a more solid look. Think of anything out of the ordinary. The more you expose the horse to the less he'll have to fear at a show.

tbtrainer · 05-09-2008, 06:17 AM

Here is a link, great exersises from one of the best in the business...
http://www.derbyhillfarm.com/trainin...icspartii.html

Madamoiselle · 05-09-2008, 09:48 AM

Thanks guys!

Since it's not jumpers, I'm more worried about maintaining a nice big consistent stride to the fence-trying to shorten up his stride to slow him down just makes him nervous.

I figure reallllllly making him work from behind into the contact and maintaining that energy and impulsion will help keep him from taking off. I just need to tell myself to get my butt out of the half seat so I can get that striding.

DiamondRio · 05-09-2008, 10:55 AM

I have lots and lots of books on jumping exercises i wish i had a copier because i would copy you the best ones.
One thing that helps some of my students keep a consistent canter is to count their ones and twos around the entire course.

05-08-2008, 05:24 PM	#1
Madamoiselle Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,239 Images: 38 Blog Entries: 6	Jumping exercises Hey guys, I have a show coming up pretty quickly on the 1st. I'm trying to get some last minute schooling in-I'm recovering from an unexpected bout of mono. So the things I'm trying to tackle are a consistent slower canter to the fence, I'm trying to polish up my eq.(chickenarrrrrrms), and I'd like to work some grids. I'm not too worried about the show simply because it's his first-if he goofs, he goofs and if I goof then I goof, it's no big deal. The highest he'll be going is 2'6 anyway. Wait..I forgot the whole point of this post. Anyywayyy, I was looking to get some good jumping exercises including grids, patterns, etc., etc. __________________ I've got guts I'M IN THE EVENTING CLUB!

05-08-2008, 07:05 PM	#2
Wounded Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 649 Images: 22	Roll backs, tight lines, long lines, bounces, bounce poles and like you said grids. I think it goes without saying that flat work comes first though. Make sure he's reaching the stride when you soften the reins, and coming back when you sit deep. Make sure he's moving off of your leg laterally. Practice half passes, shoulder-ins, haunches-in, half pirouettes (at the walk) and leg yielding. Make sure he's bending and flexible. Its good that you're working on the collected canter but be sure that he remains supple, the last thing you want is a horse that gets stuck behind your leg and over the bit. You can also work on getting/switching leads over a jump as it's a very good skill to develop early on. You don't want to waste time fussing with the horse around the turn. Another thing to work on is taking jumps at an angle. If you're going to a jumping show and there is a jump off to cut back on time you may have to get in on an angle as to get a better line to a next jump. Either way you want to accustom the horse to as many different approaches you can think of. Also you may want to create a 'liver pool' by putting a blanket underneath the jump, or draping it over the top rail to give the jump a more solid look. Think of anything out of the ordinary. The more you expose the horse to the less he'll have to fear at a show. __________________ Bambi.

05-09-2008, 06:17 AM	#3
tbtrainer Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 7,849 Images: 450	Here is a link, great exersises from one of the best in the business... http://www.derbyhillfarm.com/trainin...icspartii.html __________________ *http://www.freewebs.com/pilotscovefarm/index.htm* *"My treasures do not clink together or glitter; They gleam in the sun and neigh in the night."* *In my experience, the best way to slow down a runaway horse is to bet on it...*

05-09-2008, 09:48 AM	#4
Madamoiselle Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,239 Images: 38 Blog Entries: 6	Thanks guys! Since it's not jumpers, I'm more worried about maintaining a nice big consistent stride to the fence-trying to shorten up his stride to slow him down just makes him nervous. I figure reallllllly making him work from behind into the contact and maintaining that energy and impulsion will help keep him from taking off. I just need to tell myself to get my butt out of the half seat so I can get that striding. __________________ I've got guts I'M IN THE EVENTING CLUB!

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05-09-2008, 10:55 AM	#5
DiamondRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cresson, PA Posts: 3,056 Images: 246 Blog Entries: 2	I have lots and lots of books on jumping exercises i wish i had a copier because i would copy you the best ones. One thing that helps some of my students keep a consistent canter is to count their ones and twos around the entire course.