I remember being a teen SO WELL. All I wanted to do was one jumping lesson after another after another after another. When I’d arrive at a lesson and there weren’t even POLES, I had that ugggggghhhh feeling.

Also when I was a teen, my mom would only pay my show fees if I also did a dressage test (or two). WOWW how I hated that, but the older i got, the more I appreciated this training. And now, that’s my main focus–though, I’d argue that dressage should be the basis of everything we do with our horses.

The thing I’ve learned over the years is that any good lesson can be considered a “jumping lesson” as any lesson that improves our riding, will improve our jumping.

The goal is to find relaxation, balance, and solid “lines” on the flat, over poles, over crossrails, and then over fences. The rider needs to be solid on the horse to be fair to the horse. We are not only asking them to carry us, but but carry us over fences. We need to be steady and stable enough that we are not giving incorrect cues even when moving over fences. We also need to be steady and stable enough that we are not bumping horses’ mouths, backs, or sides.

Some days this goal of relaxation, balance, and rider stability will mean a pattern repeating so many times that everyone is bored. Other days, a solid gymnastic with jumps is what’s needed. Sometimes, we walk and trot and ride with no stirrups for stability.

Each of these days improves the days when we do a full course, or even just a couple lines of a full course.

The best jumpers in the world often do flat work, cavalettis, pole work, and crossrails during the week–spending only ONE DAY jumping at competition height. These are the trainers and riders who win.

Something to keep in mind as you continue on in your riding journey.

~ Jolene

Pic of me as a wee child (15?) during my first year showing my OTTB, Tori (Palancar).