This Esme’s jumping exercise for accuracy

Looking for a fun way to boost your accuracy and try something new? Why not have a go at this cool cross-over jumping exercise? All you’ll need is two poles and two wings, so it’s easy to do even if you’re short on equipment – here’s how.

Top tip

Remember, if at any point your pony starts to feel overwhelmed, you can always go back a step to rebuild his confidence.

1 Set it up

Place one pole along the centre line over X with two wings or blocks and raise one end – just a few centimetres is fine. Then, put another pole underneath to create a cross shape. 

2. Get warmed up

Start by warming up your pony in walk, trot and canter. Ride around the wings and poles so he gets used to them and feels more confident when you ask him to go over the poles. Focus on riding him straight and making square turns to prepare you for approaching the obstacle. 

Top tip

If your pony’s easily excited by poles, work over a single pole in your warm-up to get him listening to your aids.

3. Pole position

Start off by riding over the end of the pole that’s on the floor in walk, trot and canter. Focus on keeping your pony really straight and aim for a coloured strip on the pole – if there is one – or a particular point to help you. Then, ride over the end of the raised pole, again thinking about riding straight. If your pony runs out, pop your whip into your outside hand – the one closest to the end of the pole – and squeeze with your outside leg. Keep a consistent contact and try not to throw the reins away on approach. Keep looking up and use your voice to encourage him if you need to. 

Top tip

If you’re struggling to stay straight, set out some guide poles to channel your pony.

4. Up and over

When you’re ready, you can jump through the middle on an angle at the point where the poles cross. Widen your hands slightly to channel your pony and be strong with your legs to encourage him forwards – it looks a bit strange, so he might hesitate at first! You can then gradually raise the higher pole to a small upright to make the exercise a bit more difficult.

Top tip

Ready to make it tougher? Raise the bottom pole with an extra set of wings or blocks.