Balance and Rhythm

One of the most important things to remember !

The two most important things for the would-be show jumper to keep in mind are rhythm and balance. If you can concentrate on keeping the horse balanced and in an even rhythm all the way to the fence, you have very little else to worry about ( ok ok, you do, but that's the main point ).

The best way for horse and rider to practice working in balance and rhythm is by simply trotting and cantering over poles on the ground and working on different exercises. This kind of work can be mixed in with your usual flatwork training so that the horse learns to remain calm and to apply the same rules learning on the flat to his jumping work. Far too many horses are allowed to become excited and go way to fast while jumping. Your horse needs to learn that it needs to use power to jump the fences, not speed.

Working over trotting poles :

1 . The horse is ridden in a powerful working trot down towards a line of trotting poles ( set each about 4 feet apart ).

2 . The horse must stay balanced and in the same rhythm as he approaches the line of trotting poles.

3 . The rider should relax his hands forward fallowing the horses neck movement ( as most horses stretch there head and neck forward to negotiate the poles )

4 . The horse should maintain exactly the same rhythm throughout the whole exercise ( making sure to place each pole correctly helps ) - do not allow him to slow down at the end of the pole, always be gently pushing him on ( some horses may need more of a push )

5 . Repeat the exercise.

Working over Cantering poles :

1 . The horse should be ridden in at the canter over poles placed about 10 feet apart.

Basically the repeat the trotting exercise only at the canter. The horse needs to be kept balanced and at the same pace all the way through ( remember to relax your hands as the horse goes over the poles to allow it freedom in the neck and head ).

( Some of this information was taken from the book " How to Ride " written by Debby Sly )