cavalettis

Exercise to transition between flat work and jumping

Droits d'accès:

Abonné

Image Miniature:

Résumé listing:

The exercise set-up encourages the rider to pay close attention to all the parameters required for a clear round.

Mots clés:

cavalettis

jumping exercise

flat work

control when jumping

control in the approach

Rhythm of the gait

steadiness of the canter

REF HAE30

Niveau de difficulté:

Débutant

Goal:

This exercise will help you overcome the technical difficulties of a course without straining your horse. It can be practised by riders of all levels and will help you gain correct habits: a symmetrical position, a straight horse in the approach and landing, follow a precise track in the turns and on straight lines, get ready and anticipate each action, keep a steady rhythm.

Progress:

They start the session with some trot work. It is recommended for less experimented riders or horses to pratise it first at a walk. It would allow the horse to discover the set up and not be surprised.

Charlotte doesn’t have any problem performing the exercise as long as she stays mentally concentrated and focused on her position. However, as soon as she glances down, even for a fraction of a second, she loses her focus and position. The response is immediate: the horse gets out of the track, modifies his rhythm or even steps on the flexy jumps. The rider needs to control the situation at any moment in her position but also in her mind.

It will help Charlotte find a good balance between too much control at the canter and a horse who gets above the bit and rushes. The goal is to obtain a steady cadence throughout the exercise especially before and after the flexy-jumps.

Once again, we can notice the importance of anticipating and preparing for each action to be successful throughout the exercise.

Théma:

RIDING LESSONS

Exercises

Cours associés

Cours associés:

Guiding the horse’s shoulders on a precise track

Training on a dressage figure

Training on a succession of jumps

Preliminary course training

Training for competition with a course of cavalettis

Improving the rider’s jumping position

Miniature cours associés:

Fun gymnastic in preparation for shows

Droits d'accès:

Abonné

Image Miniature:

Résumé listing:

Niveau de difficulté:

Intermédiaire

Goal:

This course that alternates straight lines and successive turns, is an excellent gymnastic to break down a course and prepare each part of it. Despite the difficulty of this exercise, it is safe and it will become fun for the horse and rider.

Too often, riders wander in the ring with no specific requirement. The horse drifts one meter to the right or to the left, and the rider doesn’t take any action in response to it. This lack of commitment is a vice leading to setbacks in competitions. Therefore, it is important to become aware of it when schooling via some specific exercises as the one Michel introduces in today’s lesson.

The challenge of this exercise lies in staying on a precise marked track. The rider has to be accurate and has to stay balanced in order to follow the track. At the same time, the rider can test his capability to have a large angle view, to keep the same rhythm, to prepare his actions, and follow the movement between the straight line and the curve where the horse has to change lead. A very interesting exercise for the rider to practise a range of possible movements.

Progress:

During this session, Michel teaches Charlotte and her new horse Tito, a 7YO gelding.

Charlotte starts at a trot in order to discover the exercise’s set-up. Then she practises it over ground poles at a canter. The first rounds at a trot are useful to set-up the correct cues between the rider and the horse. Michel advises the student on her position to prevent the horse to lean inside or run out. We can notice that each time the rider doesn’t anticipate her movements correctly, her horse tracks out.

After few successful rounds, Michel sets up some cavalettis. Charlotte has to focus on her eyes to avoid staring at the fences or at the object that marks the track. Then, they will practise the same exercise with a stronger canter. The goal is to come closer to the condition of a course where difficulties come one after another which can amplify the rider’s weaknesses.

By the end, the horse and rider get a full work having fun.

Théma:

Keywords:

steadiness of the canter stride

large angle view

REF HAE27

Cours associés

Cours associés:

Training exercise for flying change of lead

Lateral-work: the active leg

Improving the quality of the canter

The rider's legs

Conditioning the horse on the flat and on jumps

The quality canter

Miniature cours associés:

Respect for the cadence while jumping

Droits d'accès:

Abonné

Image Miniature:

Résumé listing:

Luca Moneta is a international rider of the Italian team. During this clinic with Michel Robert he prepared his horse Neptune for the Global Champion Tour of Monaco.

Niveau de difficulté:

Intermédiaire

Goal:

Luca Moneta is riding a really hot horse, and is goal is mainly to maintain a steady cadence still using his hands as little as possible. Emilie has to work on her mare’s straightness, and Marine on her position on the approach and the landing.

Progress:

The cavaettis set-up enables them to work on the quality of the turns. Michel notices that his students have a tendency to want to turn too quickly after the jump while leaning to the inside of the turns. Michel urges them to stay straight on the approach, over the fence and on the landing.

The second exercise consists of going thru a line of verticals set for 6 or 7 strides. The riders have to be able to re-establish their base position immediately upon landing. For this, they have to, among other things, use their gaze better.

The session continues with a series of exercises allowing the 3 riders to test their ability to control the speed, the path, and their position.

Luca uses his hands too much to control his horse. On the contrary, he has to prioritise his mind and his position. The goal is to put together a course calmly with a steady rhythm without using his strength.

So Michel sets up an exercise that will enable Luca to lock in good habits.

Théma:

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