| Once you feel secure in the saddle, you might think | | | | Once you are comfortable with this, you will trot over |
| about taking a horse riding course which teaches you | | | | a pole placed on the ground, at the correct distance in |
| to jump over manageable fences. Even dressage | | | | front of the cross-pole to aid your horse in making a |
| riders work over raised poles on the ground to vary | | | | smooth jump over it. |
| their horses' routine, supple them and improve their | | | | A 'cross-pole' comprises two poles crossed in front of |
| gaits. | | | | each other which form their lowest point in the center |
| If your goal is to ride on the trails, learning to jump will | | | | where they meet. To jump correctly you must aim for |
| increase your fun. You will be able to clear small | | | | the middle of a fence and since this is the easiest |
| obstacles and spice up your riding. | | | | place to go over a cross-pole, both horse and rider are |
| Here's what to expect when you learn to jump on a | | | | naturally drawn to the correct jumping spot. |
| horse riding course. | | | | Pop over this and you will have cleared your first |
| Preparation | | | | fence! It's now up to you and your riding instructor to |
| You start with work on the ground, so don't worry | | | | decide how much higher you should go during the rest |
| about being asked to do something you are not ready | | | | of your course. |
| for. Read a well-illustrated horseback riding book which | | | | Do You Have the Right Horse? |
| incorporates the basics of jumping, and it will help you | | | | You may worry that your horse is not a 'jumper.' |
| adopt the correct position in the saddle. | | | | As long as he's not a hot-head, overweight or unfit, it |
| The course instructor will make sure you have | | | | doesn't matter whether or not your horse has a |
| mastered the riding basics of walk, trot, canter, turn | | | | natural talent for jumping. Virtually every horse can |
| and halt in a controlled fashion before you begin | | | | clear a 3 foot fence, and you are starting with a few |
| jumping. | | | | inches. So if you have a large Shire horse or little pony, |
| Baby Steps | | | | your equine friend will have no problem clearing small |
| You will start by walking and trotting your horse over | | | | fences. |
| poles on the ground, and get used to the feel of 'going | | | | Both you and your horse will benefit from the |
| over' something in the jumping position. Riding in both | | | | gymnastic exercise jumping provides and feel |
| directions, you will learn to control the speed of your | | | | refreshed when you return to your regular riding |
| horse while you ride round corners and through the | | | | routine. Or maybe you will get hooked on a new riding |
| poles. | | | | discipline! |
| First Fence | | | | |