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Accuracy of the track and suppleness of the horse – Step 2

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This second part of the exercise is to be done at a canter with a horse well-schooled and responding perfectly to the leg and hand aids. The rider will have to be demanding to be in a perfect control of the 4 feet of the horse.

Niveau de difficulté: 
Intermédiaire
Goal: 

his second part of the exercise is quite difficult and can be achieved only if both the rider and horse master it at the walk and the trot. This is the reason why the rider has to take his time to practise the exercise and can practise it over several sessions. To be successful practising the exercise at a canter, the horse needs to be available and the rider needs to anticipate and plan ahead correctly.  The goal is to keep some light and discreet aids. Therefore if the rider has to flail, twist himself, pull or push, or even if he needs to use strength, there is no point in practising this exercise yet. So it is necessary to achieve one step at a time at the lower gaits before trying it at the canter.

This exercise is linked to the sheet A7 of the Training Program 1

Progress: 

Michel recommends to start with the most comfortable side for the horse.  As seen in the first part of the exercise at a walk and trot, the rider has to be active on the right and then his left side staying centred and symmetrical in his position.

Michel offers some modifications of the set-up to make the first few practices easier and to gather some positive results before increasing the level of difficulty.

Michel gives us also an insight on the mind set we are looking for in the horse and the rider to reach the maximum relaxation while keeping the canter rhythm steady.

At the end, you will notice how comprehensive this exercise is. It will take you a certain time to get it, but you will definitively notice the progress you and your horse will make. Practise well!

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Accuracy of the track and suppleness of the horse - Step 1

Droits d'accès: 
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An excellent exercise to test the precision and lightness of the rider’s aids while working on the submission and the suppleness of the horse.

Niveau de difficulté: 
Intermédiaire
Goal: 

We know that horses and riders are all, more or less, asymmetrical: more supple to the right, stiffer to the left for example. It is important to be aware of it as it can affect the correct execution of a movement such as the accuracy of the track. The rider has to aim for a symmetric position and some symmetric aids to avoid confusing and misusing the horse. This is what Michel’s new exercise is intended for. The set-up is extremely easy but it proves to be very effective to challenge the rider’s ability to keep his horse on a precise track. The goal is to direct the horse with almost no hand aid, but simply with the position and a few discrete leg influence. To successfully execute this exercise, the rider has to be able to plan ahead each phase of this exercise.

This exercise is linked to the sheet A7 of the Training Program 1

Progress: 

In this first part of the exercise, Michel starts at a walk and a trot. The canter work will be in a follow-up video. This same work at a canter requires the horse and rider to master perfectly the exercise at the lower gaits.

Michel emphasizes on the requirement necessary for the rider to stay present mentally and physically at all times. He explains how the rider should use his leg aid to obtain the best result with a minimum of influence on the horse.

The rider will be able to put the advice into action in any situation and it will allow him to direct his horse with lightness.
 
This exercise is also a good suppleness exercise for the horse who will have to work his left side as much as his right side to stay on the track chosen by the rider.
 

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Training on a succession of jumps

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One of the keys to a successful course is to be ready for everything at all time: jump, turn, stop, slow down, or speed up…
Michel sets up a small course that is really effective at getting the rider be in control of her position, her mind, and of course her horse.

Niveau de difficulté: 
Intermédiaire
Goal: 

Through various exercises over ground poles and cavalettis, we worked on controlling the horse, improving the quality of the approaches, keeping the control upon landings, changing leads, choosing the correct speed, and staying on a precise track….Now, we are going to test the rider’s ability to master all these elements that are crucial for a successful course with higher fences.

Michel sets up a short course that requires the rider to stay in control of her position, her mind, and of course, her horse.

In Michel’s opinion, one of the key elements to a successful approach is to be ready for any possible action: to jump, stop, slow down or speed up…Usually, two to three strides away from the jump, riders are already in the position of jumping with their shoulders forward, their eyes fixing the fence. Horses take advantage of this to get away with the rider’s control, or to rush, or even run out. This exercise is a good way to train the horse and rider to stay alert and responsive from landing from one fence to the take of stride of the next one.
 

Progress: 

For this new lesson, Michel teaches Marine riding Vivaldi, a stallion owned by the “Haras de Hus”. The set-up consists of six vertical fences. For inexperienced horses and riders, the exercise can be first practised over ground poles or cavalettis.

Marine jumps the course perfectly thanks to Michel’s advice regarding the rhythm and her position in the turns.

There is no distance requirement for this course as it should be adapted to the size of your ring and /or the level of experience of the rider and the horse.

However, in this video, the distance between verticals is of 23 meters.

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Fun gymnastic in preparation for shows

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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.

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.

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Calm and regularity on a precise line

Droits d'accès: 
Abonné
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This exercise is a good transition between flat work and jumpiong. It is especially beneficial for horses who have tendency to rush the jumps, as it encourages them to jump in a calm and relaxed way.

Niveau de difficulté: 
Intermédiaire
Goal: 

To be successful in this exercise, the rider will seek as much lightness as possible in his body motion and his aids: a steady contact with the reins, little leg, lots of fluidity to follow the movement of the canter…

Progress: 

If the rider has to push the horse on the approach, or pull on the landing, then the exercise is useless. The goal is not to jump no matter what, but foremost, to be able to reach a cadence and a precise track with minimal aids.

Variant / Progression: 

Exercise for control of the line to be done in three gaits. Start with one bar on the circle, then add the others after each passage. The rider should keep the same rhythm along the whole trace and the same attitude over each pole.

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