Get the basics right

They say in the world of sport “get the basics right “. This, I believe, is also very true in the world of showjumping.

With this in mind, I want to share with you a very simple but effective exercise. I use this exercise sometimes in the warm up, or more often it could be the major part of a coaching session.

You will need just three raised poles, or even better three cavaletti. Place them evenly apart down the centre line of your school.

Firstly, warm your horse up. Then the exercise is to use the poles in a serpentine fashion in trot, introducing a walk transition before each change of direction.

The idea is that you can then progress in this simple but effective exercise to performing it in canter, with the transition then being to trot before your change of direction.

An exercise like this is a lot more beneficial if you can work with someone knowledgeable on the ground as the bend and the activity of the horse must be correct to gain the best result.

As they say, “get the basics right” …………….

Liam Buckley