How do I ride....?

[chestnut cob]

Have HT tomorrow, 2ft9 course. All straightforward bar two that I really don't like. How do I ride the following?

1. A table....there's a long hill up to it, which we'll have cantered up, then the table is right on the top, on an angle. There's nothing either side of it so run outs are v likely. No groundline at all, just a wide table, and is easily up to height. Am thinking ride it like it's a parallel SJ with no pole on ground?

2. A pallisade. They are something I had to tap for and it's still worrying me slightly, although the approach (it's nearish the end and on the way home) and surroundings should mean he'll jump it. Again, up to height and very solid. Any suggestions?

 

[Sal_E]

1) The hill should slow the canter, making him back-off a bit - use this to your advantage - i.e. build some impulsion so you both have time to get your eye in. The run out is less likely as you won't be running on - you'll have a bit more time to get your line. Do be careful not to be TOO short/steady though as you could ground to a halt or risk the horse thinking he can bank it (although guess it's probably not that big...). You will need to keep an active leg on...

2) I really wouldn't worry about it - looks far worse to rider than horse. He'll probably consider it one of the easier jumps on the course! (ask him afterwards & see what he thinks...). Just think about the fact that the spread part of it is only as far as he'd naturally travel if it were an upright - he won't have to stretch for it. Horses often far prefer this sort of fence to a simple SJ - it has a natural groundline & leans the same way as the horse jumps, if you know what I mean. Don't let your own caution tempt you to over-check him, this is the sort of fence he should happily take in his stride, so just encourage him to do that.

Good luck, bet you'll be fine!

 

[chestnut cob]

Thanks, that's great.

No worries about over checking, I'm actually the other way around...will tend to try and rush him at a fence if I think he might stop or I don't like it.

TBH, if/once we get over these two (they're only separated by a drop in between), there's nothing else that troubles me. There's a huge trakhener but has a smaller tiger trap option next to it, which will be what I take.

 

[Sal_E]

Good luck - sure you'll have a blast!

 

[chestnut cob]

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Good luck - sure you'll have a blast!

[/ QUOTE ]

It was fantastic, loved every minute!

Both pallisade and table rode much better than expected, it was the smaller (what I thought were easier) fences he looked at!