Getting back to jumping - Grids and exercise ideas please?

[clipclop]

I have had a good 12 month break from jumping and so has my horse. No reason we just happen to be focusing on flat work but decided we need to lighten up this year and play around a bit.

So, what exercises and grids (inc spacings) would you get started with?

I am looking for inspiration.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MandyMoo]

i would start with some simple pole work; trotting poles and canter poles. i THINK (lol) that the distance for trotting poles is approx. about 2 of my strides, and for canter poles about 3-3 1/2 of my strides.

i would then do some raised pole exercises to get the horse lifting his legs and listening and concentrating.

then, seeing as he and you havent jumped in a year - just some nice cross poles as they encourage the horse to go central, and are an encouraging fence in general.

maybe do some (trying to draw out the grids lol);

X 1 stride X 2 stride X

(and you can use placing poles to encourage the horse to think more and bascule properly)

X 1 stride X 1stride X 1 stride X

X bounce X 1 stride X

X bounce X bounce X 2 strides X

X bounce X bounce X bounce X 1 stride X

and then once the horse is happily doing all the cross grids, then intorudce straights and parallels into similar grids as above - changing distance etc.

i find that the ultimate grid is;

X bounce | 1 stride ||

(| being a verticle and || being a oxer lol )

oh and after all the grids etc, you can start practising related distance and dog legs

on a related distance you could make two fences 4 1/2 strides appart, and then you can practise going on 4, and then on 5. so practising lengthening and shortening the canter

lol, hoipe i helped lol xx

 

[CrazyMare]

Mine is a bit clever with grids, a bit too clever....

I use various exercises to get her to wait for the next instruction.

I like to put two uprights on the centre line A to C, with a jump to each side of one fence on a slight angle to create a double, and two dogs legs


Or put three fences on the centre line facing the long sides on a serpentine

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[clipclop]

WOW!! Thanks for that I am seriously impressed with the diagrams!!!

I will write them down and play with this tomorrow.

Thank yoooou x

 

[clipclop]

Cool, I can see that being a useful exercise. Thanks for that.

 

[MandyMoo]

haha i am gifted in my diagrams

lol, glad to help

xx