To help the novice show jumper: exercises “for confidence”

To help the novice show jumper: exercises “for confidence”

While on horseback, we must remain calm. This is an axiom. But not everyone manages to remain persistent and collected, especially when it comes to jumping.

Fortunately, exercise can help improve your emotional state.

Before proceeding with their implementation, it is necessary to effectively stretch the horse.

When setting the goal of achieving inner peace, it will be better to conduct predictable, routine workouts. This will help the rider focus before training. A warm-up routine is also great because, when it comes to competition, it reminds both rider and horse that they are doing their routine, which reduces stress.

Exercise 1. Narrowing the Turns

You will need to gallop between the cones.

Place three cones in a line 4,6 m apart. When you start to ride more confidently, the distance can be reduced. .

1. Raise the horse into a calm canter with your left foot.

2. Turn away from the wall of the arena and drive between the first two cones (center and right).

3. Make a turn and move back between the center and left cones.

4. Repeat the exercise several times with each leg.

We complicate the task: If you knock the cone down or don’t hit the correct “pass” between the cones, throw one stirrup. If you make this mistake a second time, throw the second one too. This will put some pressure on you and you will try to drive more decisively to get it right.

Exercise 2. Improving reaction

For this exercise, you will need four obstacles. The first will be in the middle of your arena on the center line. The second is about three paces from the first, also along the center line. The third and fourth obstacles will be located to the right and left of the second obstacle, at a slight angle back to the line at the arena wall.

You will need a helper to work on this exercise!

1. Get your horse into a canter and clear the first obstacle.

2. As you land, let the assistant call out “right”, “middle” or “left”.

3. Depending on what your assistant shouts out, turn and jump the appropriate obstacle. For example, if he yells “left”, you are directing the horse to the obstacle on the left.

4. Repeat the exercise several times.

Complicating the task: As your confidence grows, have the helper call out directions later so you have less time to prepare for the second jump.

Exercise 3: Improving Speed ​​and Accuracy

This exercise will require you to complete the jump route. Put the route of the level that you are going and decide on the order of its passage.

This exercise is good to do with someone else, comparing your time and cleanliness according to the results. It will help you to be less nervous about competitions and manage stress.

Danny Anholt(source); translation by Valeria Smirnova.