Jump to it

If you’re looking to boost your jumping skills, you’ve come to the right place. Have a go at Team PONY’s super easy exercise and follow our tips for success!

Did you know?

If you’re eager to improve your jump-off skills by learning to jump on an angle, you can use the poles in the same way – all you need to do is alter the angle of your channel, just make sure the poles line up on both sides of the fence. 

Line up

Did you know your approach and getaway are the most influential parts of your jumping line? But why is riding the perfect line so important? Well, it will help…

• your pony jump clear
• you stay in a good rhythm and see a stride
• set you up for the next fence

So, working on your line is a no-brainer, right? Let’s get started!

Set it up 

For this exercise, you’ll need at least one pair of wings and six poles – you can make the jump as difficult as you’d like, but it’s best to start with a simple, inviting cross-pole. Position your jump over X or halfway down the long side of your arena and create a channel with two poles parallel to the arena fence on either side of the jump. Set these at 1–1.5m apart and make sure the middle line channels you to the middle of the fence. 

For guidance

Having the parallel poles before and after a fence will naturally guide your pony on a straight line, plus they’ll keep you disciplined – no cutting corners here! 

The poles can also help to identify weaknesses in your or your pony’s jumping technique, which means you can then work to improve those skills. You might discover that your pony has a sneaky habit of swinging his hindquarters in on the approach, but with the poles, he won’t be able to do this! Or perhaps you lean to one side, which causes your pony to land on a specific leg or drift after a fence – either way, the poles will really help to fine-tune your skills. 

How to ride it

Once you’ve got the hang of it, this exercise is really easy to ride and a great one to incorporate into your general warm-up routine, but here are some tips to help you along the way…

• Establish a positive trot or canter rhythm (counting out loud will help) in your warm-up and before approaching the jump – trotting into fences is a brilliant confidence, and balance, booster
• Make a smooth turn off the track onto your line – don’t cut the corner or ride too deep into your turn, otherwise you’ll lose the fab rhythm you’ve been working on
• As you make your turn, aim for the first set of poles then once you’re straight, look to the landing side of the fence
• Guide your pony straight by channelling him between your hand and leg aids – ensure your rein contact is even, you’re sitting on both seat bones and press equally with both legs
• Don’t look down at the poles or jump, otherwise your pony might look down too and run out or stop – not ideal!
• Avoid over-folding and sit tall after the fence, remembering to channel your pony straight again 

Top tip

Setting up this layout down the centre line means you’ll be able to try landing on a different leg each time while riding it both ways. 

Problem solver

If you find that your pony is drifting, don’t pull on the reins to correct it. By just using your reins, you’ll only move your pony’s head and he’ll fall through his shoulder, whereas if you press with your leg (for example, if he’s drifting to the left, press with your left leg) you’ll move his whole body back onto the right line. You can also use a high-sided cross-pole or V-poles on an upright to channel him to the middle of the fence on the approach. 

Landing on the wrong canter lead, more on one rein than the other, is another common problem with this exercise and is often a sign that he’s not so strong on one side of his body. So, once he’s had the all-clear after a thorough check over by your vet, it’s worth chatting to your instructor to see if your position is causing the issue. Maybe you’re tilting to the same side in the air so your pony always lands that way, for example? Your instructor can share their advice to help you kick any bad habits and get you landing on the correct leg every time – an essential part of course-riding success!