This exercise has been around for a few decades and is fun, rewarding and a simple way to train five important skills necessary to win in the hunters, equitation, jumpers and three-day eventing for both horse and rider:

1. Eye
2. Rhythm
3. Tracking
4. Balance
5. Concentration

 

Exercise

The pattern is an oval shape. Set up two poles or jumps around the middle of the long sides of the ring or arena and opposite of each other. The aim is to keep a consistent canter rhythm while riding the oval pattern catching the jumps/poles on each long side. The goal is to get the same number of canter steps at each end – from jump to jump. If you ride 14 canter steps from Jump A to Jump B, then you will want to ride 14 canter steps from Jump B to Jump A. The number of canter steps is not important; it is that the number is the same on both sides.

For the Rider

This exercise is great for practicing problem-solving.

Example: If the rider is getting 15 canter steps at one end and 13 steps on the other, then they will need to either adjust pace or tracking:

Tracking – Holding out the landing line a little longer before turning adds 2 canter steps; or shortening the landing line before turning converts the 15 into 13 canter steps.

Pace – Slightly increasing the canter pace turns 13 steps into 15. Slowing the canter step turns 15 steps into 13.

Tip: Only fix one thing, either rhythm or tracking.

For the Horse

Horses learn by repetition or by correction, plus they are predictable ‒ they tend to do the same thing in the same spot (cutting in or falling out, increasing or decreasing pace). This exercise addresses all of those.

If a horse falls in through the corners after a jump, the rider will have a clear idea of where to prepare early to correct this.

If a horse increases its canter step out of a corner, this exercise will help riders refine the skill of when to balance through the predictability of the pattern.

Through predictability and repetition of the exercise the horse will develop a clearer understanding of the rider’s aids, such as inside leg to outside rein or half-halts.

Variations

  • Once familiar with the exercise, the rider or coach can choose a particular number of canter steps. See how quickly you can consistently achieve it!
  • Stagger the jumps so they are not opposite each other.
  • Use different heights – one jump higher than the other.
  • Use different types of jumps (vertical, oxer, skinny, etc) and different types of filler.
  • Add in mental preparation exercises such as breathing or key words.

Other benefits

  • These exercises can help build fitness if you ride them for two minutes (the approximate time cantering in the ring)
  • Handy for training jumping off both reins equally
  • Can be done in any size arena or out in a field
  • Perfect if there is not a lot of training time on a particular day.

Last but not least – distances. Simply put: reliable take-off distances come from keeping an even canter rhythm and accurate tracking. Once a rider can consistently knock off this exercise, they will have a more advanced understanding of feel for balance, rhythm and tracking which all lead to a higher outcome of reliable distances in the competition ring.