| GYMNASTICS FOR EVERY JUMPING HORSE AND RIDER PART 2: THE BASIC TROT IN GYMNASTIC An educational article by Vanessa and Buddy Brown, DERBY HILL BASIC JUMPING DYNAMICS The gymnastic is an extension of the trot cross rail that you have just jumped, and all the same principles apply. The trot pole on the approach side serves as a placement pole, and a reminder that the horse will need to push off his hind end for the jumping effort coming up. We like to use cross rails and cross rail oxers as it gives a clear central focal point for the horse, and encourages a square, correct jumping effort. The distance between the jumping efforts should ride in a manner where the horse will need to rock his weight back, push harder off his hind end, and be clever with his front end. If your horse is stretching to make the distance suggested, then shorten the distance accordingly. Be sure that the jumping elements have ground lines on both the front and backside of the jump. The landing pole will remind your horse to rebalance himself after the last effort, and stop him from thinking that the jump is over once his front feet land! The idea of the gymnastic is that your horse is able to maintain balance and impulsion as he negotiates each element. His arc should be centered, and he should be tight with his front end, and finish his jump behind over each jumping effort. The abilities and experience level of the horse/ rider combination will dictate the height of the jumps. Experienced horses should jump a height that makes them have to study and try a little bit. If a horse needs to focus on his style, the oxer elements may be gradually widened so that the horse needs to push harder, and follow through with his hind end. If the horse is a little casual with his front end, consider changing one of the cross rail oxers into a square oxer, and tighten up the distance a little. Only experienced horse and rider combinations should consider using the gymnastic as a tool to work on specific jumping style. | |
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