In the lead

Did you know that you can save so much time in your showjumping round simply by landing on the correct lead? And that’s not all because your pony will also be more likely to jump clear if he’s in good balance and a consistent rhythm. 

Have a go at my exercise to help refine your aids and teach your pony to land on the correct canter lead every time! 

Set it up

You’ll need five pairs of wings and 11 poles. Start by creating a treble down the centre line with each fence one stride apart, then place a pole on the ground 2.5m in front of the first fence. Position two more fences – one off to the right and one to the left – after the final fence of the treble, leaving four strides between them. 

Step by step

To build your pony’s confidence gradually and give you the chance to really refine your aids, work through this exercise slowly. When your pony feels confident, stays relaxed and in a good rhythm throughout, move on to the next step. 

1. Canter down the line of poles, riding straight between the two single fences.
2. Keep all the poles on the floor and ride through, adding in the right- and left-hand turns.
3. Repeat step two with the final part of the treble as a cross-pole.
4. Add in the second and then first fences of the treble and jump through in a straight line. Then, incorporate the left and right turns.
5. Raise the two single fences and ride through the entire exercise, making sure you work your pony evenly. That means approaching on each rein and turning in both directions after the last fence in the treble.

Top tip

Change up the direction you turn after the single fences, too, so your pony doesn’t predict where he’s going. 

How to ride it 

There are quite a few elements to think about when riding this, so let’s break it down into three sections – approach, treble and turn. 

On the approach think about…

• establishing a clear, consistent rhythm
• riding to the first pole on the ground
• channelling your pony straight between your hand and leg

During the treble think about…

• staying relaxed and in your rhythm
• keeping your shoulders back but staying out of the saddle between the fences
• getting organised for your turn

As you prepare for the turn, think about…

• looking in the direction you’re heading
• putting more weight into the stirrup of the direction you’re going
• opening your hand and rein to guide your pony

Above and beyond

All being well, you shouldn’t need to give your pony too much encouragement to land on the correct leg. But you might want to exaggerate your aids at first to help him understand what you’re asking. As you practise, you’ll be able to give him more subtle cues that signal to him the direction you’ll be heading. 

However, if your pony is finding one rein much easier than the other, he might be trying to tell you he’s sore, so get him checked over by your vet. 

Top tip

Unsure of how far apart to set fences to suit your pony? Check out the PONY mag stride guide here.

Top tip

It’s a good idea to keep the fences in the treble as cross-poles to help encourage straightness. 

Problem solver

Because there are so many things to think about during this exercise, you might encounter a few problems along the way. But that’s fine and totally normal, and I’m here to share my tips to help you solve any issues. 

Rushing

If your pony rushes through the layout, he might struggle to fit in the four strides. If this happens, sit a little deeper into the saddle on your approach and think about staying in a steady, balanced canter – talk to your pony and give him a scratch on his neck if you need to! Rather than staying in a light seat through the treble, try sitting a little taller on landing to slow your pony down. Avoid repeating the exercise too many times if your pony is prone to rushing – take a break and give him a breather. 

Drifting

It’s important you jump the middle of the final fence in the treble and not to the side because, in a course, this could lead to faults. That’s not to say you can’t start preparing for the turn as you land from the jump, but don’t let your pony drift. Focus on using your weight, core and leg to encourage him to land on the correct lead and travel through the turn, rather than leaning to one side. If you find your pony drifts to one side after the single fences, try placing a pole perpendicular to the jump to prevent this – it’s important to ride straight for a few strides afterwards, so then you control when you make the turn.

Top tip

Remember that it’s okay to take a step back to rebuild your confidence. It’s better to step down a level and end on a positive note than push yourself too much. 

Top tip

If your pony becomes disunited (this often happens due to a lack of balance), quickly and quietly bring him back to trot, if there’s time before the next fence, ask him for canter again. If not, allow him to jump from trot, as this will naturally boost his balance.  

Our expert: Yazmin Pinchen-McCulloch is a showjumper who has competed for Great Britain since she was 13 years old.