Jumping a course of fences in canter ?.

[Leaveittothediva]

Hi, just wondering what I need to do to improve my jumping rounds. We're only talking small fences now, but never the less, I start off good canter, ok on fence one two three and then if I have to change canter lead, it all goes pear shaped, I either get fast trot, wrong leg in canter, and have to do the rest in trot. I thought maybe more jumping lessons, I have about 1 a month at the moment. I'm having lunge lessons cause I think they are important for me as I have always found riding challenging. Thanks in advance for replies

 

[*hic*]

You need to concentrate on sorting out the flatwork, not the jumping. Remeber, jumping is just dressage with lumpy bits.

 

[IGWLC]

You need to concentrate on sorting out the flatwork, not the jumping. Remeber, jumping is just dressage with lumpy bits.

So true. Dressage work is the basis to everything you do with your horse. Practice, practice, practice! Integrate plenty of canter-trot-canter into your schooling session, this will help with the changing of leads, without the need for flying changes at this level.

 

[jm2k]

I had 3 lessons with Matt Ryan last wknd (XC and Sj) and 1 SJ with Ernest Dillon. BOTH said keep the canter consistent when doing a round even if on the wrong leg as if you stop / start you lose rhythm which is the most important aim! He did say even if a rhythmic and consistent round in trot is better than canter/trot/canter/trot etc. You lose time getting to the fence trying to mess around with changes and instead you should be concentrating on getting a good line to the fence instead.
Horse will soon learn to change legs or become balanced and after practicing it does work better for us even if on the wrong leg (counter canter).
Also, have a small jump/double/triple or grid or in the middle of a school ride A - C (with the jumps in the middle) and change the direction each time you reach the end of the school.