Many times, I have seen riders canter to the first jump of a course and have it be less than stellar. But then they land, change their canter, and lay down the ride of a lifetime. I have named this “first jump-itis.” The cure is to establish a quality canter right away so that you can approach your first jump with impulsion and confidence, rather than using it as a reminder that you didn’t quite have enough pace.

Mastering the Canter Transition

It all boils down to a need for better preparation. First, examine the canter transition itself. In a lesson, you can’t use the whole ring to get going, as you and your horse are going to be exhausted before you even get to the first jump. In a group, you will get reprimanded for wasting time. At a show, you are only permitted an opening circle or 45 seconds, depending on your discipline.

Before you ask for the canter, be sure your horse is responding to your leg by developing a marching walk. This walk will feel as though your horse is truly taking you somewhere, not as though you are begging him to take each step. If the squeezing leg aid is not enough, don’t hesitate to give him a kick or tap him with a crop behind your leg.

Once the marching walk is established, use your inside leg to step your horse over toward the rail for a few steps, getting him thinking about his hind end.

Next, bring your outside leg back for one or two steps at the walk, then squeeze to give the canter aid. Be sure to sit tall and stay back (not throwing or perching your body forward) throughout all of this. The best transitions into the canter have an uphill, lifted quality to them, and this will be difficult to achieve if your weight is forward over your horse’s shoulders.

If your canter transition tends to involve a few (or many!) trot steps, be sure to do your homework to correct this. Your horse should move directly from the walk to the canter. Should the situation call for cantering from the trot, you can set your horse up to canter in a similar manner as described above but in a sitting trot. The whole process, once practiced, will take less than 10 seconds.

Canter Quality

Now that you have the canter, focus on its quality. It’s always better to have a little more pace in the canter than you think you need, as that will allow for you and your horse to have more options to choose from if you need to adjust as you approach the jump.

If your horse is being responsive to your leg, it will be easier to ask him to move up for a longer distance or collect for a tighter distance while still maintaining a springy energy to the gait. This indicates continued engagement of the hind end, called impulsion.

What typically happens when your first jump goes poorly is that the canter lacks impulsion, so you’re left with only the options of hoping to get to the jump at a good distance or to chip in to a tight distance. The option to move up to a more forward distance is not available if you never tuned up your horse to engage his hind end to be responsive to your leg aid.

Practice Makes Perfect

Remember, there’s no situation where a canter lacking impulsion will be useful. Whether there is a scary filler in the first jump on a hunter course or a tight turn after the first jump in a jumper course, a slow, weak canter won’t help to answer the question at hand.

A great exercise to actively practice building your pace to the first jump is by only jumping one jump: Set up a jump on both quarter lines of your arena, one for each lead (see opposite page). Make the jumps a comfortable height for you and your horse, 3 to 6 inches lower than the highest you regularly jump, or your competition height if you show.

For hunters, practice an opening circle and then head straight to the jump. Once you’re consistently meeting the jump with power in your canter off of each lead, increase the difficulty by adding in some attention-grabbing filler to the jump or make the jump an oxer.

For jumpers, don’t allow yourself more than half the ring to cultivate the canter you need. After being successful with the exercise from both leads, add a cone about 42 feet (three strides plus landing) beyond the center of each jump and turn before it to simulate a jump-off track.

Congratulations, your canter is a success!

This article about canter quality for jumping appeared in the April 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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There is often a misconception among jumping riders that in order for a practice course to be interesting or beneficial, it needs to be a lengthy, complicated track. While it’s important to test yourself and your horse in this way, it’s also important to take time to return to basics and use practice tracks for jumping. By using a course that is easy to remember, it frees your mind up to focus on the details. This course is also a great idea for anyone that is making do with a limited number of jumps or a smaller riding area.

The jumps are to be set up as pictured in Figure 1. The jumps can be any height that you and your horse are comfortable with, even if that is just ground poles. Feel free to switch up the order and direction in which you ride the jumps, but for the sake of our discussion, I will be using the course described in Figure 1.

Ride a Practice Course Three Ways

There are three different styles in which to ride this jumping practice track: hunter, equitation, or jumper. When practicing more of a hunter-style course, your goal should be to establish a tempo and then stay on that tempo with only tiny adjustments.

Your inside leg should be used to create an inside bend and to push your horse out into every turn, going all the way to the rail. Use your corners to re-evaluate your rhythm and make sure you are not slowing down nor speeding up. It is easy to gain momentum after the first one or two jumps!

Next is the equitation style practice track. If possible, give yourself markers of some kind. Place the markers as shown in Figure 1. Now the goal is to execute the same track in a tighter space, turning just outside the markers for all of the turns during the course, including before the first jump and after the final jump. Now your organization skills are starting to be put to the test as the questions arise faster due to a shorter time between jumps.

The last track to try out is the jumper practice track. This time you will be turning before your markers from the equitation track, or you have the option to move them in closer to the jumps to challenge yourself. Your focus should now be on the responsiveness of your horse as you move through a tighter track with a faster rhythm. Remember not to cut your corners so tightly that you sacrifice straightness. Your horse should be straight for the last two to three strides before the jump in order to give him time to properly prepare for takeoff.

Other Points to Address

This exercise can also be used to address problems specific to certain horses and riders. If your horse tends to rush toward the jump or immediately after, the practice track allows for halting after each jump.

Horses that can be wary of new or different jumps can be acclimated by placing different fillers underneath the jumps. Because the track is simple, it is easier for the horse to negotiate the potentially scary obstacle in front of them rather than also dealing with a prescribed distance in a line or a tight turn before or after the jump in question.

Because of the simplicity of the track, this is also a great time to experiment with how small changes in your body affect your horse. Examples include shifting your weight slightly in the air to help your horse land on the correct lead, adjusting the timing of your half-halt in the turn, and experimenting with the strength of your leg and rein aids while turning.

If you or your horse already prefer a certain style of riding over the others, I encourage you to branch out. Not only will it contribute to your growth as a rider, but your horse will also benefit from doing something different.

When riding your jumper on the hunter track, they will start to soften in the corners and refrain from rushing as they realize they aren’t being asked to turn quickly and find the next jump. This softness will greatly improve your ability to adjust your horse’s stride length.

While riding your hunter on the equitation or jumper practice track, your horse will start to become more responsive to the aids as the turns come up quicker, which comes in handy when you need to make small, invisible adjustments on course.

After riding all three jumping practice courses, it is very likely that you come across something that you or your horse find difficult. This creates a great opportunity to select future exercises that specifically target these problem areas.

This article about jumping practice courses appeared in the June 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Have you ever tried to braid your horse’s mane for a show and gotten so frustrated that you begged a friend for help or ended up paying someone to do it for you?

Braiding a horse’s mane is not overly difficult, but one adage holds true: Practice makes perfect. If you want to have beautiful, even braids, don’t wait until the night before a show to start learning. It takes most people a few fully braided manes to develop an efficient technique.

My preference is for “hunter bump” yarn braids because I find them easier to put in and take out than round braids sewn in with thread. This type of braid is a good all-purpose style that can be used for hunter/jumper, eventing and dressage horses. Yarn also securely holds in braids without damaging the hair.

Pulling the Mane Before Braiding

Before you braid, you’ll need to pull your horse’s mane to thin out the hair and even the length. If he has very thin hair, you can probably get by using scissors (held vertically, never cutting straight across) or an old clipper blade to even out the length. For horses with thick hair, however, you need to pull the mane until it is thinned out and about 4 inches in length. Thick hair makes yarn braiding nearly impossible.

If your horse is sensitive about having his mane pulled, do just a small section of pulling every day for a week or so to keep him from getting too worked up. It also helps to pull after you’ve ridden, as body heat tends to open the pores and make the hair less painful to remove.

In extreme cases, it may be necessary to have your vet administer a small amount of tranquilizer to get the job done. Pulling should be done every four to six weeks to keep up the short, thin mane necessary for braiding.

Using Yarn to Braid a Horse’s Mane

Note: In the photos, the horse’s mane lies to the left and is braided to the left. This is acceptable for eventing and dressage horses, but hunters prefer to train and braid the mane to the right.

◆ STEP 1. Assemble all of your braiding equipment. Tie your horse safely and comfortably so he can’t wander off, either on cross-ties or in his stall. Have a hay net nearby to distract him and increase his patience, if necessary. Stand on a sturdy stool or mounting block so you can easily reach your horse’s mane. NOTE: We used white yarn in our equine model’s black mane so that it would be more visible in the photos. For a show, use yarn that matches the color of your horse’s mane.

◆ STEP 2. Starting at the top of the mane, just behind the bridle path, wet down and comb a section of hair approximately two to three fingers wide, or 1 to 2 inches. You can use water, but there are grippy braiding spray products available that really make things easier. Use your comb to make a razor-sharp part, and keep the rest of the mane out of your way with a hair clip.

◆ STEP 3. Begin braiding downward (as opposed to out toward yourself), pulling each section of hair out to the side as you work your way down for maximum tightness. When you get about halfway down the braid, place the middle of a piece of yarn under the bottom of the braided section. Incorporate one half of the yarn into one section of the braid. Do two more crosses of the braid, then incorporate the other half of the yarn into the third of the three sections. Continue braiding as far down the hair as possible.

◆ STEP 4. Tie off the yarn at the bottom of the braid with a single slip knot, pulling tightly.

◆ STEP 5. Slide your pull-through down into the top and center of the braid at the crest; thread the free ends of the yarn through it and pull them out through the top of the mane. The braid will now be folded in half.

◆ STEP 6. Use the free ends of the yarn to make a simple square knot under the braid and pull tightly.

◆ STEP 7. Push up a “bump” so a knob of the braid is visible along the crest of the neck, with the rest of the braid in a small, folded loop below the bump. Tie another tight square knot on the “waist” of the braid (between the bump and the loop).

◆ STEP 8. Make another knot around the waist of the braid, this time behind it. Pull tightly, and use scissors to trim the yarn tails a couple of millimeters from the knot.

I like to braid the entire mane with the braids hanging down first, then go back down the neck to pull the braids up and “bump” them, making my yarn knots. My third and final pass is to trim the yarn tails with scissors. Finally, I braid the forelock using the same method, although it may require French braiding for the first few rows if the forelock is large and unruly. I don’t like to pull or shorten forelocks, but that is certainly an option.

Don’t get discouraged if your braids don’t look perfect the first time. Keep practicing, and beautiful, even braids are sure to follow.

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Common ring-wise behaviors seen in competition arenas can include:

◆ Balking at the gate, stopping, backing up and not wanting to enter the arena.
◆ Head-tossing, gaping at the bit, side-stepping, refusing, or running out on a
jump or obstacle.
◆Ignoring your cues.
◆ Overreacting to noise, crowds and objects surrounding the arena.
◆ Anticipating the next move.
◆ Threatening to bite or kick; tail-wringing or pinning ears back.
◆ Breaking gait to go faster or slower; not staying on the rail and aiming for
the center of the ring or the exit gate.
◆ Bolting, kicking, bucking, rearing and being unwilling to stand still.
◆ Rushing to leave the arena once the class is over.

Start with Physical Issues for Your Ring-Wise Horse

Ring-wise issues aren’t always behavioral problems, explains Jessica Allen, a hunter/jumper rider with multiple A circuit championships and a recent winner of the USHJA International Hunter Derby. She co-owns and trains out of Tally Hawk Stables, LLC in Pleasanton, Calif., along with her business partner, Danielle Peterson.

When it comes to behavioral problems in competitions, Allen says it’s important to first rule out any medical issues your horse may have.

“Show horses that travel or are stalled for long periods of time can not only have soundness and movement issues, but often have ulcers and GI upset that can cause serious behavioral and physical problems,” she says. “I like to have my horses evaluated by our vet every six months to stay ahead of any problems that may be creeping in that I can’t always see or feel. Once any physical questions are answered, next comes a serious look at the training.”

In the show world, so much time is spent on the road competing that many riders don’t spent adequate time learning their horse at home, according to Allen.

“Riders must train correctly and thoroughly at home first, and let the show be the test of that training,” she says. “Then go home and practice more—the show results should follow the progress if your training is effective and successful.”

Early Intervention With a Ring-Wise Horse

There’s either a positive or negative reaction every time you and your horse enter the show arena due to the different experiences each class brings. Therefore, Allen says it’s crucial to stop ring-sour behaviors as quickly as they start.

“The longer [horses] are allowed to continue to act inappropriately, the harder it will become to remedy the issue,” she says. “Early intervention is key, as each behavior will require different methods to correct. Find a trainer who can consistently make it easy for your horse to achieve the desired behavior, while making it difficult for him to continue the undesired behavior. Horses should be trained early on to yield to pressure and seek the path of less resistance.”

In the hunter/jumper arena, along with classes that require a pattern or going from a crowded warm-up ring to competing in the show ring alone, issues can arise due to the herd-bound nature of horses. Conversely, dealing with the excitement that happens when a large number of horses start cantering together in a group class can cause your horse to panic, according to Allen.

“Whatever your horse’s weakness is, it’ll be heightened in the show ring,” she says. “There are many ways to recreate the show circumstances at home that your horse is having difficulties with at the shows. By doing the homework and desensitizing appropriately, you can help your horse adjust to any show stressors.”

Mix It Up for Your Ring-Wise Horse

There are two reasons why horses become ring wise: the rider’s nerves and boredom, according to Charlie Cole, an AQHA Professional Horseman and Certified AQHA, American Paint Horse Association, and National Snaffle Bit Association judge and leading exhibitor. He is co-owner and trainer of Highpoint Performance Horses in Pilot Point, Texas, with business partner Jason Martin. Cole has trained over 50 world champions in the all-around events, from western pleasure and trail to hunter under saddle and barrel racing.

“As a rider and trainer, my goal is to ride the same in the practice pen as I do in the show pen, so my horse doesn’t know there’s a difference,” says Cole. “Riders who lose focus and become anxious ride differently, forcing that anxiety onto their horse. Being a confident and consistent rider teaches your horse that no matter where they are or what they’re doing, riding is just riding, even in the pressure-filled show pen.”

Rail class horses, who perform in the same routine manner whenever they enter the show pen, are the most common ring-wise horses, according to Cole.

“These horses have grown unchallenged and bored and start to form bad show habits,” he says. “It’s never too late to ask a professional for help, and sometimes a different perceptive is the best thing.”

Cole suggests that a good solid longe before a class may help a horse show a bit calmer.

“It’s best to not to lighten the show load for a bored horse, but rather to add more events and classes to their routine, giving more of a variety,” he advises. “If I have a hunter under saddle horse, I introduce jumping, which is good for the horse’s brain and learning, and also strengthens him physically. We’ve taken several ring-smart hunt seat horses and added jumping events, which freshened up their view on the sometimes boring rail work. With a western pleasure horse, I would add a trail or western riding class to give him more jobs to think about and less repetition in the show pen.”

Relax for Your Ring-Wise Horse

Clarity and consistency are what matter most over jumps and on the flat, says Johanna Siefert, a top hunter/jumper rider and trainer. She owns Lionheart Training in Banks, Ore., with her husband, Joshua Cobb. Siefert is certain that a relaxed horse that is confident in his performance begins with your expectations and continues on in training.

“We feel horses that exhibit ring-wise behaviors are confused and under stress,” says Siefert. “This also happens when they’re overworked or have been poorly trained to cope with show anxieties. When things get difficult, you should go back to basics, keep your emotions in check, resort to what your horse knows, build a strong relationship, and make the show experience a comfortable one.”

Prepare to Be Better

Siefert explains that the journey to the show can cause stress even before a horse enters the ring.

“When hauling, it’s important to watch your horse closely, keeping an eye on his water intake, eating habits, manure production and demeanor, so you can provide care and treat if necessary,” she says. “We give breaks every few hours while hauling to rest and offer water. Once at the show, we try to keep the horses’ home routines the same or as close as possible, from feeding to workouts. Knowing your horse’s fitness and comfort levels and not overdoing it will create soundness and a healthy mindset when competing.”

Leaving ring-wise behavior out of the show pen takes effort on both the rider and horse’s part. By encouraging positive reactions, you will improve your horse’s outlook, making the show ring a place to shine and bond together instead of a tiresome and unfilled place to work.

This article about ring-wise horses appeared in the June 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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U.S. Equestrian International Horse of the Year

Darry Lou has become a stalwart in the talented lineup of mounts for five-time USEF Equestrian of the Year and Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden, as the pair have captured numerous international wins since their partnership began in 2017. The 2019 competition year was highlighted by several historic finishes for Madden and Darry Lou as they capped an exceptionally strong seasonal campaign with back-to-back wins at the prestigious Spruce Meadows Masters CSIO5*. Following a win in the Tourmaline Oil Cup 1.60m, Madden and Darry Lou went on to secure top honors in the world’s largest grand prix, the $3 Million CP International Grand Prix presented by Rolex, besting a field of 49 renowned competitors.

Madden and Darry Lou earned two additional wins during the National Tournament at Spruce Meadows in June and produced a double-clear effort for the NetJets U.S. Jumping Team during the Nations Cup Aachen CSIO5* competition prior to earning a top-10 finish in the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen in July. Their 2019 campaign began at the Winter Equestrian Festival, where they secured top honors in the $209,000 Marshall & Sterling Grand Prix CSI4* before going on to top the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix in Thermal, Calif., in April.

“The [Pegasus Awards] was a really fun night because you get to meet a lot of interesting people and hear about their stories, but tonight is honoring the horse. And that’s why we’re all here and why this entire organization exists. It’s reallt special to be able to honor the horse, and I feel really lucky to have such a talented horse like Darry Lou,” said Madden.

U.S. Equestrian National Horse of the Year

El Primero made his mark on the 2019 Platinum Performance/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby Championship, guided by Victoria Colvin, as the duo went on to earn top honors and best a field of 35 entries. For Colvin, it was her third personal win, but a first for El Primero. The pair received scores of 92, 94, and 95 and finished nearly 25 points ahead of the second-place finisher. Together, they finished with an overall total score of 603 in the year’s most prestigious derby competition. El Primero has captured numerous derby titles throughout his impressive tenure, but his first Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship win was one to remember, as the pair collected 26 of 30 handy points and earned an additional 12 points for their successful navigation of the four high options on course.

El Primero and Colvin splashed onto the scene in 2019 after a strong performance in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Deeridge Derby in Wellington, Fla., where they topped the competition, before collecting another prestigious win in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Winter Equestrian Festival only a few weeks later. El Primero is trained by Peggy Gehman and has competed with Sandy Ferrell, Louise Serio, and Colvin throughout his career in the United States. Purchased and imported from Stal Hendrix in 2014, El Primero is a workmanlike and consistent competitor, who enjoys living outdoors in his five-acre pasture at night and has become a beloved member of the Baldwin and Meralex Farm family.

“El Primero has always lived up to his name. His talent and easy way of going made him successful right away,” said Serio. “When you have an extraordinary horse and an extraordinary rider [like Victoria Colvin], the magic happens. They’re beautiful to watch together.”

The U.S. Equestrian Horse of the Year awards were presented on January 11, 2020, during the Horse of the Year Banquet at the U.S. Equestrian Annual Meeting in West Palm Beach, Fla.

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