Interval Training for fitness

[maxapple]

I'm doing a ODE in two weeks and plan to do some interval training with my pony to make sure he's fit enough to do the XC comfortably.

He is already fit as we ride 6 days a week - combining hacking out, schooling / dressage and jumping and local comps. I do want to do more canter work with him however, as we haven't been able to do much at all as the ground is so hard (we're in Kent where its been hot and dry for the last few weeks!)

I was planning to do 2 days this week of building up to 5 mins canter with 2 mins walk for a couple of times. It will have to be in the school as the ground is too hard. I can get a bit of extension on the long side but there is nowhere around we can do a long fast canter (unless anyone knows of somewhere in kent with an all weather gallop track??) Does this sound about right?

Its supposed to rain this week which might soften then ground up too so we'll hopefully be able to do some training round the farm which has a lovely long canter hill!

 

[milliepops]

What level is your event? And will the course be hilly? I understand what you are saying about the ground being hard but I do think it is important to do some work on grass as well. I know not everyone agrees but I do my canterwork on grass even if it is a bit hard, because I do expect my horse to go xc if it is hard - I want to know that I have conditioned her to it as best as I can.

Obviously you have to be sensible - build up to it gradually and ride according to how the horse feels. I try to confine my canters to uphill sections when it is harder , but I don't believe I could get her fit enough just doing work in the school.

 

[maxapple]

Its only a teeny one (2'3!!)

We do some canter work on grassy bits where its not so hard - and have been practising for working hunter classes out in the field (so doing canter in circles / figures of 8 etc) - its just that we've had no rain for two weeks now and its been really hot on and off. In places the ground is like concrete so until it does rain i don't feel happy doing too much out there.

 

[milliepops]

Ahh OK, well if he's getting plenty of work anyway then I would think you're already doing enough to finish comfortably.

Good luck!

 

[dwi]

Do you know if the xc is timed? I got all worried about this earlier in the year only to find out the ODE I was going to didn't time their xc. I let her trot between jumps and only cantered into them from a short way out.

 

[connie1288]

If it is only 2'3 then I personally dont think you need to do any interval training, and certainly not up to 5 mins!!
I event up to BE novice level and my novice horses only do 4 mins with 2 mins walk in-between!
My horse who is stepping up to Intermediate and CCI* is just working her way up to 6 mins!

I also do quite a lot of my fast work in the school at home, as my mare cant cope with hard ground and the all weather gallops are quite a lorry journey away!