Steps in xc

[Flowerofthefen]

We are hopefully doing a ODE in 2 weeks. Whole thing is on a surface. I went to watch a prevIDE there and really want to have a go! The fence that is really bugging me are the steps. We'll its only one step that I'm assured isn't any bigger than 70cm high. I'm not sure why I've become obsessed with it when there are umpteen mote things to worry about!! I took horse arena schooling last week and he was hesitant at the steps because I was looking down. Once that was sorted he was fine but the steps were small. This morning I've taken him out to a xc course just to do the steps as ground too hard for any else. Again hesitant but I trotted him I'm and he was fine. Again only little steps. Further round the course was a bigger step and a much bigger step which was really quite a good height so didn't bother with that but trotted into the other one and he was fine. I've no idea why I've become obsessed with this one fence that in my eyes is going to ruin everything on the day!! Any hints or tips on how to ride them? Was hoping his adrenaline will be up a bit and I was just going to ride at it so momentum takes us off the end!!

 

[milliepops]

steps down or up, or both? it sounds like you mean steps down but just in case this is my 2p

Up, you just need to imagine it as a jump that size, you just land on the top instead of back on the ground. so the pace you need is the same as a jump that size really. a confident forward ride, look where you want to get to (up the step) and keep your leg on to maintain the impulsion. don't panic and over ride it or you might make the stride get longer and flatter, you want an energetic bounding feeling rather than speed.

Down, i think jogging towards the step confidently so your horse has time to assess the question is better than barrelling along and then the step down being a surprise. let your horse stretch a bit if he needs to, sit up so you remain in balance and slip the reins if you have to rather than get pulled forwards on landing.

it sounds like the prep you have done has been constructive so you should be fine on the day. hopefully by the time you get to the step you will already have a few fences under your belt and have built up a good rhythm which is always nicer than just approaching a fence cold.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Milliepops thank you for your answer. Meant to say steps down!! We do the sj then straight onto the xc so the step is three quarters of the way round. Thanks again for your sound advice

 

[milliepops]

you will be well into your stride by then depending on the approach to the steps, i would try to just rebalance a fair distance away if you are travelling quite fast after the previous fence, so you can just steady, and then ride positively forward towards the step down. basically if you are feeling a bit unsure, you don't want to be leaving it so late that you are taking a pull right before the step as you will be riding backward and making your horse think backward. do that in plenty of time so you can then ride steadily forward again. approaching in trot is perfectly sensible as you are never on a bad stride if you are trotting

 

[Ample Prosecco]

You'll be fine. You have already practiced it so you know how to ride it. And you know that looking down does not help! The other mistake people make it not to give the horse their head. They need to stretch the neck to balance. And to come in too fast and take the horse by surprise as MP said. And remember you are a lot higher than the horse so what seems high to you, is not to him. So come in trot, leg on, soft forward hand and look ahead.

Overthinking does not help either. So mentally rehearse/visualise your plan so you know what you are doing then switch brain off and just ride. If you find yourelf obsessing over it, try and come up with some sort of phrase that turns your attention away from 'argh steps' to soemthing more positive and constructive. A simple phrase like, "leg on, look up" can help.