Jumping a course of fences in canter ?.

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Leaveittothediva

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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
 
Hi Op, good flatwork is basis to smooth jumping. Sounds like you are getting flustered when you need to change leg etc... Working on lots of trot canter transitions on the flat using markers should help and make sure horse is super responsive to you aids.
 
Lessons focusing on good flatwork and technical jumping will help. Also if you have access to jumps make a course without actually putting the jumps up - just have a pole on the ground between the wings. This will help you get around the course focusing on the flatwork between the fences without having to worry about jumping anything! Think about body position, your canter, your transitions if you need to change canter lead - work on the bits between jumps, the corners, the approach, the ride away :) it should all help you to get around a course better. Then when you put the jumps up it should be easier :)
 
That's an idea Kylara. I must do that also. We usually practice with 3 to 4 fences and I tend to lose the impulsion as we go. So not having the fence to worry about as such will help. Thanks.
 
Flatwork flatwork flatwork! I'd be tempted to remove the jumps completely until the flatwork is established then reintroduce...
Many moons ago when I was a jumping obsessed kid who saw no point in flatwork, a very wise instructor said to me that for a jumping round of say 8 fences that takes about a minute to complete, you only spend about 10 seconds in the air! The rest (ie the majority of what you are doing!) is dressage! That has kind of stuck with me - granted I don't do a huge amount of jumping these days (ended up with the dressage/ridden showing bug!) but when I do I notice a difference in balance/response to aids compared with how I used to fly around jumping courses on previous rides as the flatwork is so established.
Good luck!
 
Thanks exmoorponyprincess, We have been doing lots of flatwork and I'm enjoying it, so will keep it up. I really love jumping and dressage. I'm determined to improve in the next few months. Thank you.
 
Could you try practising shoulder-in on completely straight lines (eg. When out hacking)
It might help you have more confidence getting your lead, and then use shoulder-in every time you go into canter wherever you are? I've found it gives me more confidence and helps me stop the horse running into canter, giving me a smoother transition? Just an idea, good luck
 
Thanks Toz, will ask my instructor about this, we've done it a few times but as I only have lessons once a week. Group lessons go flatwork, jumping, hacking alternate weeks. But I'd give it a go. Cheers .
 
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