Fingerontheneckstrap
Well-Known Member
Just looking for some help with my horses adjustability around a course/ability to collect. When he is super fit and ready for eventing he can become quite hot when showjumping and just wants to be left alone and fly around the course. Even pole work gets him pumped up because poles are just SO EXCITING!
Usually I like to leave him off November/December, hack in Jan and then slowly build up fitness in Feb/March. This year I’ve taken a different approach - I brought him back into work in December to get him fit a bit earlier so that we can iron out any bumps a bit earlier in clinics and lessons with a realistic insight into what he will be like at peak fitness in late spring/summer rather than him being an angel because he’s actually a bit tired and unfit and then being the opposite when we get out and about
My main issue is that when he gets speedy over jumps and he needs to collect on a related distance or certain line he completely ignores every aid, head goes up and off he goes! It’s almost like all he sees is the second element and he forgets you’re there.
The sickening thing is he can collect!! And really well!! We spent a lot of 2024 getting many dressage lessons, competing at Novice dressage and even did a couple of unaffiliated elementary tests. But as soon as jumps or poles on the ground are thrown into the mix he wants zero interference from the rider.
He really enjoys jumping and polework, it’s really motivating for him, he is absolutely game for whatever fence or filler you throw at him and he loves to please after a clear round but having a bit more rideability and adjustability around a course would be great. He’s not dangerously galloping around with me or anything, it’s just frustrating to know that you maybe wouldn’t have had that pole down in that line if you had collected a bit more - but he just won’t let me when there’s jumps involved.
So any ideas on what I can try between now and my lesson next week would be much appreciated!
Usually I like to leave him off November/December, hack in Jan and then slowly build up fitness in Feb/March. This year I’ve taken a different approach - I brought him back into work in December to get him fit a bit earlier so that we can iron out any bumps a bit earlier in clinics and lessons with a realistic insight into what he will be like at peak fitness in late spring/summer rather than him being an angel because he’s actually a bit tired and unfit and then being the opposite when we get out and about
My main issue is that when he gets speedy over jumps and he needs to collect on a related distance or certain line he completely ignores every aid, head goes up and off he goes! It’s almost like all he sees is the second element and he forgets you’re there.
The sickening thing is he can collect!! And really well!! We spent a lot of 2024 getting many dressage lessons, competing at Novice dressage and even did a couple of unaffiliated elementary tests. But as soon as jumps or poles on the ground are thrown into the mix he wants zero interference from the rider.
He really enjoys jumping and polework, it’s really motivating for him, he is absolutely game for whatever fence or filler you throw at him and he loves to please after a clear round but having a bit more rideability and adjustability around a course would be great. He’s not dangerously galloping around with me or anything, it’s just frustrating to know that you maybe wouldn’t have had that pole down in that line if you had collected a bit more - but he just won’t let me when there’s jumps involved.
So any ideas on what I can try between now and my lesson next week would be much appreciated!
