Cross Country Gears
1st gear…trot, occasionally used for ditches, steps and water with young horses.
2nd gear….’coffin canter’ , short stepping, high powered canter. Often used for fences where there is a suprise for the horse on the landing such as ditch or water and the horse may need an extra stride to read the question.
3rd gear….show jump type canter, often used for vertical rails or fences that are related to each other with a distance. The importance of this canter is that it is forward, well balanced and the rider has a soft hand.
4th gear…..this is the pace used for fences with a soft profile are jumped out of e.g. hedges or steeplechase fences. The pace will encourage your horse to stretch and open out his frame.
5th gear….the gallop - top speed that is not jumped out of.
The key to these gears is BALANCE, PREPARATION AND SOFTNESS. It takes years of experience to know exactly when and where to use these gears. Therefore always take advice from a qualified coach.
1st gear…trot, occasionally used for ditches, steps and water with young horses.
2nd gear….’coffin canter’ , short stepping, high powered canter. Often used for fences where there is a suprise for the horse on the landing such as ditch or water and the horse may need an extra stride to read the question.
3rd gear….show jump type canter, often used for vertical rails or fences that are related to each other with a distance. The importance of this canter is that it is forward, well balanced and the rider has a soft hand.
4th gear…..this is the pace used for fences with a soft profile are jumped out of e.g. hedges or steeplechase fences. The pace will encourage your horse to stretch and open out his frame.
5th gear….the gallop - top speed that is not jumped out of.
The key to these gears is BALANCE, PREPARATION AND SOFTNESS. It takes years of experience to know exactly when and where to use these gears. Therefore always take advice from a qualified coach.
Cross Country Positions
1. GALLOP POSITION
2. PREPARATION SEAT
3. CONTACT SEAT
4. LANDING POSITION
5. DEFENSIVE FOR ‘BIG OOPS MOMENTS’
All require balance, suppleness, strength and stamina from the rider.
1. Classic cross-country galloping position with your seat out of the saddle and body quite forward allowing your horse to gallop freely and cover the ground.
2. Used to prepare and balance your horse for an obstacle or downing gears for tricky turns on the flat. Progressively sit more upright by lifting shoulders and tucking seat underneath you. Working hamstrings glutes and abdominals. Keeping hands low at all times. This can be the hardest position to perfect!
3. To assume the contact seat, lightly sit on the saddle. Maintain hips are up to feel seat bones evenly with an allowing hand for the jump.
4. Very important not to be too far ahead of the movement or too far behind the movement for landing. This will of corse affected the horses balance and recovery. A real test of core balance. Once again soft hands with a strong lower leg to absorb landing.
5. This will be used for the hairy moments!
1. GALLOP POSITION
2. PREPARATION SEAT
3. CONTACT SEAT
4. LANDING POSITION
5. DEFENSIVE FOR ‘BIG OOPS MOMENTS’
All require balance, suppleness, strength and stamina from the rider.
1. Classic cross-country galloping position with your seat out of the saddle and body quite forward allowing your horse to gallop freely and cover the ground.
2. Used to prepare and balance your horse for an obstacle or downing gears for tricky turns on the flat. Progressively sit more upright by lifting shoulders and tucking seat underneath you. Working hamstrings glutes and abdominals. Keeping hands low at all times. This can be the hardest position to perfect!
3. To assume the contact seat, lightly sit on the saddle. Maintain hips are up to feel seat bones evenly with an allowing hand for the jump.
4. Very important not to be too far ahead of the movement or too far behind the movement for landing. This will of corse affected the horses balance and recovery. A real test of core balance. Once again soft hands with a strong lower leg to absorb landing.
5. This will be used for the hairy moments!
