A 10 minute exercise to improve accuracy over jumps

Set it up

Place a pole on the centre line at X, then place one on the approach and another on the landing side, each 2.7m away on a curving line. Set up a pair of wings and an extra pole by the middle pole for later, too.

How to ride it

Trot a 20m circle around the outside of the poles. Use your inside leg and rein and turn your head and shoulders to encourage your pony to bend around the curve of the circle. When you’re ready, trot over the poles on a bending line, aiming for the middle of each one. Keep your legs on and use your voice if you need to so he keeps a positive rhythm through the poles. If you feel up to it, why not have a go in canter? 

Toughen up

Want to make things a little more challenging? Build a small cross-pole at X, leaving the other two poles on the ground. Just like you did over the three poles, trot a 20m circle before riding to the first obstacle. Keep your eyes and shoulders up and your leg on to encourage your pony over the cross-pole. Remember to keep the fence really small until you get the hang of it. 

Top tip

Make plenty of changes of rein when you try this exercise to help your pony become super-supple.