tips on jumping arrowheads please

[debsflo]

my daughter has just started cross country jumping and has done all the usual fences including water,banks,coffins etc and gone clear on first two outings.yesterday we did a local hunter trial which included an arrowhead which was a skinny fence which probably made it appear wide.horse refused twice and on 3rd attempt trod on it and damaged it.we think she was genuinley not sure and was worried.are there any tips,techiques to this fence as we want to overcome this and can hire the course to practice.she was fine over other narrow fences including a corner.

 

[milliepops]

Do you mean arrowhead as in a fence shaped like a V when you look at it?

(can't think of any other type of arrowhead but thought it best to check first!)

I don't think there is anything specific about that type of fence - it's probably more a case of getting horse and rider confident about jumping narrow things You can practice at home with anything you can get your hands on. Barrels are useful - you can wedge them in slightly between poles and stick some wings on the sides to begin with, then graduate to jumping them without the wings. I have also used those basket things that you get home supermarket deliveries in - anything will do. Hay bales. You name it

I think I made the breakthrough with narrow 'island' fences like this (as opposed to corners, which are generally wider but you have a spot to aim for towards the point) was when I managed to truly channel the horse between both legs into both hands. I made myself feel like a drainpipe - or piece of guttering and imagined the horse was a little marble running along it.

Rider has to be committed and focussed on staying straight and feeling the tiny movements left and right if the horse gets wobbly. Also helps not to get in front of the movement, and not too fast (but still going forward confidently - horse must know you mean business )

At home I like to introduce them on a related distance from a simple fence like a x pole, which hopefully gets the horse on a nice stride (helps ) and jumping the middle of the fences.

How old is your daughter?

 

[reindeerlover]

Try to avoid the injuns

 

[debsflo]

ha ha yes i do mean x country arrowheads.daughters 16 but new to competing and xcountry generally.

 

[NR99]

I would suggest getting an experienced instructor to help you out, if you don't have your own is there one at the course, if you pay the resident instructor sometimes you get the course cheaper or even for free.

Alternatively if you have your own instructor ask for help as training can begin in an arena, but please do get help as your pony sounds genuine (and lovely) and you don't want to knock her confidence.

Have fun!