Cross-country problem solver

With so many different parts to a cross-country course, all designed to test our skills, it’s no surprise that we face challenges in our rounds sometimes. Whether your pony dodges ditches or gets time faults for being too fast, knowing how to correct the issues you have will fine-tune your round and lead you to success.

State of mind

Every pony has his own brain and individual personality. Some prefer to whizz around, leaving you struggling for control, while others back off fences when they find them scary. In some cases this can make them unpredictable and difficult to ride, and can lead to the three most common pony problems seen on the cross-country course. Here are my tips to fix them…

Spook-tastic

When a pony spooks, his rhythm can change in the blink of an eye. So, the main things to think about are always keeping your shoulders back and your pony in a forward, positive rhythm. Work on his rhythm by counting the strides out loud or in your head, to help keep your pony focused on tackling the next part of the course, rather than thinking too much about what could be scary.

When it comes to jumping new fences, squeeze with both legs to keep your pony moving and be really encouraging with your voice, making sure you reward him, too.

Naughty-napper

If your pony’s prone to napping or running out, there’s one rule you to stick to – do the opposite of what he wants. For example, if he likes to drift right after a fence, while you’re out schooling always turn him left. If he runs out to the left, halt him as soon as possible, then turn him to the right. If your pony realises he can take control of a situation and get what he wants from it, he’ll be more inclined to do it. You need to kindly remind him that you’re the boss.

Get your copy of February PONY to find out more of Vittoria’s cross-country riding tips!