A rider should be aware – with the help of a good eye on the ground – of what distance works best for their horse. It is true that some produce better form from a closer distance, and some from a longer distance.

The elusive “eye for a distance” is one of the most valuable skills a rider can possess, and yet if broken down comprises the most basic elements of riding: rhythm, balance, and track. It is those elements that Ryan Roy believes can be learned and incorporated to develop a rider who can make subtle adjustments and arrive at every fence in the optimal zone for a good jumping effort.

All about rhythm

“The first thing I tell my students is that it’s not about finding a distance, it’s about finding the rhythm,” Roy explains. “I really believe that distances don’t totally exist. If you have the right rhythm, I believe you’re going to get to where you want to be. What this means is that if you’re behind the rhythm or too slow, you’re most likely going to end up with a deep distance. Conversely, if you have too much pace you’re going to get long and weak. The key then becomes finding the right rhythm, and I strongly believe that the distance is created through the turn.”

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