Riding the Line
74When jumping courses, often we get so fixated on the jumps themselves that we forget to ride the lines in between. Jumping involves setting the horse up then staying out of his way. We aim to get our horse balanced between the hand and leg. We must get him in front of the leg, balanced in a steady, elastic contact in our hands- then it is our job to simply keep it the same. If we put the primary focus on rhythm and consistency of the horse’s step around the line of the course, the jumps will not be a big deal. They will just ‘get in the way’ as another even step on the lines we ride.
Jumping is a discipline where it is the rider’s job to help balance and monitor the horse’s step but to a large extent to just stay out of the horse’s way. When you have turned a corner and you are headed straight down to a jump, there is little that you want to be changing. If your horse is crooked you can flex him a little or if he needs to move up or fit it in you can ‘cluck’ or ‘whoa’. However, most of the riding on a course is done in between fences where you can address the quality of the gait. Sluggish horses may need some energizing in the corners. Quicker horses may need help settling. But when we have lined our horses up to canter down to the fence, we aim to be as steady as possible with our aids and allow the horse to do his job.
A very important part in aiming to achieve that steadiness down to the fence, is balancing the horse between the hand and leg and establishing a good pace first. Canter a circle before you go down to your fence and focus on the rhythm of the canter. Everyone has probably counted the rhythm, ‘one, two,’ or sung ‘Row your Boat’ down to a fence. Balancing the horse between your hand and leg is a method to create steady rhythm. Pay attention to the amount of energy in the horse’s canter. If the rhythm is a little labored, get in two-point and move your horse forward to get him in front of your leg. If he is a little quick, do a few downward transitions, sit deep and canter a few circles to get him to relax and settle. Pay attention to how the horse feels in your hand. You want a steady connection with good dynamic contact on both sides of the horse’s mouth and you want to be riding him in front of your leg to back it up.
Once we have the horse balanced between the hand and leg we can continue to monitor the length of step and energy in the pace. Make it your goal to canter down to a fence or around a whole course on the exact same step. Don’t even think about distances or last minute corrections. Just create a pace and stick to it. This takes concentration on how your horse feels on your aids and his length of stride under your seat. Your horse may need help maintain the same pace. Again, if your horse is slow, energize and keep him in front of your leg in the corners. When schooling a quick horse, settle in the corners and circle if need be to keep him on a steady, relaxed step. Then think the rhythm. When you can achieve an even pace balanced between the hand and leg, the jump will just be another canter stride on the line you are riding.
The path or line that you follow around a course can be broken down into two parts: straight lines, and curving lines. When we are on a straight line, we must ride the horse straight. When we are on a curve, we must ride the horse properly bent. On course there is a lot to think about- so let’s develop good habits on the flat. When you are hacking, look at the ring in two parts: straight lines and curving lines. When you are traveling straight, your must focus on an even feel in both hands and an even feel between both legs. Use the rail to help you. Focus on looking straight between the horse’s ears and making is body track right between them. Then stay off the rail a little and work on your straightness. Pick a focal point and ride straight to it.
When you are not riding on a straight line, then you must be turning and bending your horse to the inside. Break it down in your head: ride straight away from the jump thinking straight, then at a distinct point of your choosing, turn the line from ‘straight’ into ‘curving’ to turn the corner. We aim to minimize the grey zone- ‘is she straight or turning?’ Cutting corners is a large problem for many hunter/jumper riders. If your horse is falling in on the turns, he is likely not bending correctly off your leg. If your horse has a problem with cutting corners or falling in, try this exercise. Set up four rails on the ground around the path of a large circle. Canter the circle and hit each pole right in the middle to keep the horse bending around your inside leg and not cutting in. Remember, bend is not just in the horse’s neck but in the entire body. So we do not want to just pull the horse’s head around, rather use the inside leg to help him bend through his whole body.
The final part of riding the line is where to place the lead changes. If your horse is competent in flying changes, you ideally need to complete the change while still on your ‘straight’ part of the line on the backside of the fence. Look at your focal point and use the straightness to balance the horse for the change. If your horse is trotting simple changes, you can use the curving line to assist you in picking up your new lead. For simple changes, land off the backside, canter off straight then trot a few steps before you reach the end of the straight line. Initiate the turn, bend and pick up the new lead.
When you look at the course map at a show (or you can draw one out for your course set at home to practice) visualize the sequences of straight lines and turning lines that you will ride to complete the course. When you get out on course, create a pace and keep it, balancing the horse between your hand and leg. Then relax and ride the line. Your horse will thank you.
Danica Yates is a sporthorse trainer in the Portland, Oregon area. FEI and European experience, four years private training with Olympian Debbie McDonald. Training, lessons and board are available. Call (503)278-1112 or visit www.danicayates.com for more information.
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