5 Game-Changing Rider Pro Tips for Better Performance
We asked our talented sponsored riders for their top tip or gem of advice for horse riders of all levels. Here are five game-changing professional rider tips for better performance and success in the saddle.
JUMPING WITH JOY
Victoria Bax is a UKCC Level 2 British Eventing Accredited Coach and event rider and has some jumping advice for anyone wishing to improve their skillset and competition performance;
“Every time you have a jumping session, no matter what kind; gridwork, course jumping, cross-country training etc, always make sure you jump a skinny fence and a fence set on an angle. This way, these more challenging accuracy fences become normal to you and your horse when jumping them regularly and confidently.”
“In a cross-country warm-up, try to jump a fence on an angle from both the left and right. This is a good exercise to remind both your horse and you, as it’s 99% likely that you will need to jump one on the course!” 1 out of 5 game-changing rider Pro Tips for better performance.
PLAN AHEAD
Sarah Rogers, professional international dressage rider and trainer, recommends that you put a plan in place before every schooling session, whether you are riding sharp horses or simply want to get the most out of your training sessions as she explains;
“Try to have a plan in place for your schooling sessions because I think as a rider, you can get side-tracked when you want to work on many different things, and I think it’s always wise to have a plan of what you are going to work on and want to achieve. This simplifies the session, and the horses feel the benefits as well. Stick to one or two movements, and don’t forget your warm-up. Give you and your horse time for a long enough warm-up period ahead of your school work so they are supple and relaxed. For me, the warm-up is a really important phase.” 2 out of 5 game-changing rider Pro Tips for better performance.
TAKE YOUR TIME
Professional event rider Anthony Clark has a wealth of experience and expertise in training partnerships at all levels, and his top tip for training your horse successfully is to take your time;
I don’t conform to the pressure that some professionals may feel when training horses for competition, and I certainly don’t believe in rushing the horses in their training. I like to take my time in training my horses. They all mature and develop at different levels, both physically and mentally, so it’s essential to consider the horse as an individual and not get caught up in the rush to move up a level or push the horse out of their comfort zone or current ability.
Be prepared to wait until next month or next year until your horse is able and ready to progress. If your horse finds moving up a level more difficult, drop down a level, build confidence, and slowly progress in his training. For example, one horse I had years ago, Jolly Bo, was perhaps, not the most talented showjumper as a young horse, but there was something about my owner liked. As a young horse, with time and building strength, she improved, and she ended up going to the Olympics and the World Games with a Canadian rider and was really successful. As a younger horse, you would probably have discounted her, but with the correct training and time, she is a prime example of how taking your time with any horse and going at their pace can prove fruitful in the long term. 3 out of 5 game-changing rider Pro Tips for better performance.
GAME CHANGING PRO-TIP FOR YOUR 3-DAY EVENT
Looking to improve your performance at your next three-day event? Eliza Bell (Née Stoddart) has this advice;
“At a three-day event, I always give the horses the best chance of feeling coolheaded by taking them for a relaxing ride around the venue a few hours before we are due in for the dressage test. This way, the horses can see the event with no pressure, and if needed, they can be worked a little bit to relieve any tension or excitement prior to the start of the warm-up.
It also always gives me peace of mind.” 4 out of 5 game-changing rider Pro Tips for better performance.
ALOERIDE IS A GREAT HELP TO HORSES
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