At the lower levels (entry and pre-training), you may or may not encounter a combination on cross-country and in the stadium ring and if you do, they will be simple and straightforward. But as you advance, the combinations get tighter and more technical. At preliminary, for example, combinations can include angled lines, bounce slopes and can involve water and narrow fences. Even if you don’t aspire to move beyond entry or pre-training, practicing combinations at home is beneficial for you and your horse.

2012 Olympian Michele Mueller is a big advocate for grids and combination exercises and incorporates them regularly in work with her own horses and with her students. Here is her advice on riding combinations, and a few of her favourite exercises.

“Combinations – or grids – get your horse thinking, teach him to snap his legs up quicker and build up his strength and confidence. They also help build athleticism and confidence in the rider. You have to learn to stay centred and still, as your horse will need to use his neck and back through a combination. You can’t over-release or under-release and it creates a lot of stability in rider position.

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