Any good teaching exercises?

[Kokopelli]

I'm teaching at two seperate junior pony club camps this summer, I will most likely have children who have just started jumping ages around 7-10.

I just have no exercises for younger children as I have done all my hours teaching slightly older more experienced people.

Has anyone got any good exercises for this type of people which are fun but also teach position, steering and stopping/ going correctly?

I'm rather out of ideas I have a few but not enough to last two sessions of riding for a week without repeating myself.

 

[blitznbobs]

Bending poles. even 'race' round them at walk... teaches them to make their ponies walk out. a bit of leg yielding... always a useful standby.

 

[Kokopelli]

Were only allowed on the mounted games kit twice in the week but when it is our turn on the kit I will definatly do that!

Can you recommend any jumping exercises for ponies and children of this ability? I'm worried about doing something to advanced as I'm used to more advanced riders :/

 

[blitznbobs]

Start with poles and get them to hold the position over the poles... or just doing walk trot and canter in jumping position.

You could raise alternate ends of the poles to make them into 3 inch jumps (but I like to see the kids before I make this decision... don't like people falling off)!

Blitz

 

[Wobblywibble]

Just go back to basics, start em off with trotting poles on the track, then if that goes ok trotting poles then a gap and a small fence. Then if they all have reasonable nerve, stickability and sensible ponies, you can dispense with the poles and get them taking the fence on its own one at a time, then maybe add another fence somewhere else in the school that involves some independent steering. Then combine first and second fences etc etc. Just build it up slowly and be prepared to work at the ability of the least able child. If there are some that are obviously better than others, make it harder for them by raising the fence a bit or insisting that they canter.

 

[Kokopelli]

I was thinking about bringing my pole pods but I'm sure most of the ponies would jump them, I'll bring them just in case. Thanks for the advice, I'm so excited my first camp teaching!