SJ advise needed..

[Starbucks]

OK, so generally Badger is going really well SJ this year but some days He'll be mega careful and others not at all!

He normally warms up consistently and rarely has a pole, but when we go in, some days he will jump really big and give everything heaps of room and others he doesn't put a great deal of effort in and has a lazy one or two with his back feet.

He seems to do it when the course is quite small/strait forward, so thats ok for BSJA because I can just do the next class, but I've got an intro in a couple of weeks and he didn't have much respect for the last one I did.

Was just wondering if anyone has any tips on how to warm him up differently/ride differently to get him to think what he's doing a bit more??

Any help would be fabby!

 

[Starbucks]

Anyone?? Please??

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Is he having fences in front or behind, spreads or uprights, individual fences or related distances and doubles?

 

[Starbucks]

Behind, and a bit random really, but normally the smallest/gapiest upright on the course!

Thank you for helping!!!!

 

[LEC]

I would barely warm up over fences and maybe just do the cross once or twice so when he goes in he is not bored by it and has not used up being careful on the practice fences. If he is not spooky then this can work really well.

 

[Sarah_Jane]

That is most likely to indicate he is flattening over his fences. Don't overdo the warm up but concentrate on getting a good canter that you can lengthen and shoeten and that he is listening to you. Don't let him get faster and flatter around the course.

Don't jump too many fences warming up, a cross pole and a couple of uprights then move onto your spread. Jump it once normally and then keep it small but pull it out quite wide if you can (parrelle) and come into it in a collected canter and allow him to jump it. It makes them use themselves and think about what they are doing.

Obviously grids at home is going to help and improving the canter.

Hope it all makes sense.

 

[Starbucks]

Thanks guys!! Thats pretty much how I warm up now, but will try the wide spread thing, that is the kind of thing that would make him use himself and realise he is actually jumping!

I am quite guilty of being a bit on the fast side, he's big, strong and forward going and I'm more of a forward rider anyway so not the best combination! It's just so frustrating because he has such a big jump and really gets his back end in the air most of the time.

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Try and make sure you give him time to get his back end in the air without restricting him.

 

[Starbucks]

What do you mean by that?? Sorry I'm a bit thick, needs things spelling out!

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Have him together and don't let him get fast and flat. Try and keep a bouncy forward canter but do not use too much hand which will restict and not allow him to make a good shape over the fence.

 

[Starbucks]

ok, thank you!!