Spider flier

You don’t need a whole course of fences to refine your jumping skills and our awesome spider jump set-up proves exactly that! With one simple layout and two different exercises, you can put your pony to the test and have your best-ever jumping session. 

Get prepped

While you’re warming up, think about doing lots of transitions to get your pony focused on the job, then work on suppling him by riding plenty of circles and turns. Make sure you encourage your pony to work actively from the get-go, especially in canter as you’ll need him to be full of power – but not speed – for both exercises. 

Set it up

All you need for this layout is four poles, four wings and a block. Position the block over X, or in the middle of the area you’re riding in, then place the four poles to make a cross with your block as the middle point. Next, put one wing at the end of each pole to raise them into small uprights. 

Top tip

If jumping isn’t your fave thing but you love polework, why not leave the poles on the floor and have a go at both exercises? You’ll still put plenty of skills to the test and have tonnes of fun! 

Exercise 1: loop the loop

Aim of the game To encourage your pony to bend and to use your seat to direct him around the turns. 

How to ride it 

1. Pick up a positive, forward canter. Look up towards fence 1 before you make the turn towards it, turning your upper body to guide your pony. Squeeze your inside rein to ask your pony to bend and use your outside rein to support his shoulder through the turn.
2. Keep your eyes up and ride straight towards the fence with an even rein contact, while squeezing with both of your legs.
3. Pop over the jump and slightly shift your weight into your left stirrup and start to look left.
4. To turn your pony, open your left rein, keep your left leg on the girth and move your right leg back slightly, while closing your right rein against his shoulder. Turn your shoulders and look where you want to go, too.
5. As you finish the loop, ride straight towards fence 2 – repeat steps two, three and four as you ride through the rest of the exercise.
6. As you land after fence 4, keep your body facing forwards and ride straight ahead until you’ve returned to the track. Then give your pony a big pat to say well done.

Exercise two: X marks the spot

Aim of the game To test your straightness and the accuracy of your aids. 

How to ride it 

1. There are two ways you can jump the middle of the spider – here’s how to get the best jump whichever route you choose…
2. Pick up the same canter you had for exercise one and, as you approach your turn, keep your eyes up, upper body facing the direction you’re going and leg on to encourage your pony forwards.
3. After the turn, widen your hands slightly and evenly press both legs against your pony’s sides – imagine you’re creating a channel for him to go through.
4. Once you’re straight and your pony’s pointing towards the middle block, choose something to focus on the other side of the jump – for example, a post, tree or arena marker – and keep your eyes on it.
5. Keep channelling your pony straight ahead, then lift yourself out of the saddle and fold as he pops over the jump. Remember to sit tall and keep looking up as he lands.
6. Carrying on riding forwards until you reach the track and try not to let your pony turn before you’ve asked him to. To do this, make sure you’re really balanced, and your weight is evenly distributed in the saddle.
7. As you reach the track, ride a smooth turn, then give your pony a scratch on his wither to reward him. 

Stay grounded

Make sure you keep the fences small to start with to help build you and your pony’s confidence. You could also remove the block from the middle to create raised poles to make it a bit easier.

Top tip

Don’t forget that ponies can’t see 2m in front of them, so it’s extra important to ride a good approach so he can process what’s ahead of him. 

A job well done

These exercises require your pony to work hard physically and mentally, so allow him plenty of breaks in between and don’t be afraid to take a step back if you’re finding it tricky, then build up slowly again. As always, make sure you give your pony plenty of praise when he’s tried hard, and always end on a positive note.