Creative cross-country

Winter doesn’t mean you have to stop perfecting your cross-country skills, and by practising them in the arena you can have a head start before the season gets under way! Check out how to recreate three types of XC fences in the school – but watch out, they get trickier as you climb the levels. Can you ace them all?

Get ready!

Be sure to tailor your warm-up period to get your pony in the cross-country zone! Practise riding in two-point position in canter along the long side to encourage him to open up his stride, and incorporate lots of transitions between and within paces to get him moving off your leg and listening to your aids.

Level one: nail rail-ditch-rail

What is it?

A rail-ditch-rail combination is exactly what it sounds like – a fence, followed by one or two strides to a ditch, then one or two strides to another rail. On a cross-country course, they often involve a change of terrain, such as downhill to the ditch then uphill to the last rail, so they can be a bit spooky.

Set it up

You’ll need four blocks, six poles and a tarpaulin for your rail-ditch-rail combination. To create the ditch, place the tarpaulin sheet on the ground near E or B and pop two poles on it to secure it. Then set up two uprights, one either side of your ditch, with a one-stride distance (6.1–7.3m) between each element.

Remember!

Your pony may not spot the ditch until he’s jumping the first rail, so allow with your hands to let him lower his head and look at what’s ahead of him. Aim to approach in a really positive canter and try counting your strides out loud to keep the rhythm. Sitting up between the elements is really important, too, because leaning forward will disrupt your pony’s rhythm and balance.

Level two: conquer corners

What is it?

A corner is a fence with a narrow, pointed end and a wider end – from above corners look like triangles! However, your pony won’t really see this – instead he’ll see it as an oxer. Corners are usually inviting for your pony, but you’ll find them with varying widths on a cross-country course so it’s important to ride them accurately!

Set it up

You’ll need four blocks and four poles to create your corner. Place two blocks side by side, facing slightly away from each other, then put the other two blocks a pole’s length away but with a 30cm gap between them – you can widen it as you feel more confident.

Remember!

Your pony might be tempted to drift to the narrow end of the corner, but this risks a run out. Approach in an active, steady canter and channel him straight towards the middle, focusing on keeping his body straight. To do this, squeeze with both legs and maintain an even rein contact. If your pony moves to one side, quickly correct him – for example, if he drifts to the left, press with your left leg and bring your left rein towards his neck to move his body to the right.

Level three: ace arrowheads

What is it?

Arrowheads are a different type of triangular-shaped jump – the point faces forward towards the ground at the take-off point. They require your pony to be ultra-straight and are included in cross-country courses to really test your precision!

Set it up

You’ll need three blocks and at least three skinny poles to make an arrowhead. To start with two blocks and a pole to make a skinny jump and place your third block slightly in front of your fence, with two poles resting on the sides to create a channel. As your pony understands what you’re asking, progress to creating a V with the side poles positioned up on the front block.

Remember!

When approaching an arrowhead, you’re aiming for a very small point on the ground, so it can be tricky for your pony to judge the take-off spot. This means you have to work extra hard to set him up correctly and channel him really straight. Ride positively towards the arrowhead and really pay attention to how equal your aids are and how straight your pony is – if he bends through his body, he’ll likely wobble off the line.

Have a blast!

Setting up cross-country-style fences in the arena is the best way to keep your pony’s skills going during winter when you can’t go schooling, so why not give it a go? It’s a great way to spice up your normal jumping session, too!