Simple steps to help you jump accurately – and go clear every time

Show jumping’s all about accuracy – and that means being able to control your horse’s speed and direction from the moment you enter the arena. There’s lots you can do at home to train your horse to listen to your aids, take the right line and, above all, jump straight. Here are four simple exercises to help you get started…

1 Poles in a tunnel

2 Extended tunnel

3 V-shaped poles

4 One-sided ‘V’ poles

Exercise 1 . Poles in tunnel
To get started, simply place ground poles in front of your jump to form a ‘tunnel’. This exercise will work for every size of fence, from a 6in high cross pole to a larger spread. Place as many poles as you can wide apart on each side of the approach to guide the horse into the fence. Keep looking up and ahead as you approach, while aiming for the centre of the jump.
Remember, the poles are there to help you, but it’s your responsibility to present your horse at each fence in a fair way – and that means riding an accurate line, staying in balance, and asking for the correct speed and bounce of pace to give your horse every chance to jump whatever’s in front of him.

Exercise 2. Extended tunnel
If you horse tends to jump in straight, then veer off after he’s landed, extend your tunnel of poles so it acts as a guide after the fence as well as before. This extended tunnel doesn’t have to start immediately after the fence – you could place the poles in a tunnel formation a couple of strides after the jump so you land, then have something to aim for to keep you going in a straight line.

Exercise 3. V-shaped poles
Another great exercise is to use two poles in a V-shape to really channel your horse into the centre of the fence and stop him wandering.

Exercise 4. One-sided ‘V’ poles
If your horse tends to stray to one particular side of the fence instead of jumping straight, using just one half of your V-shaped poles can help to correct him. If he consistently jumps to the right, for example, using just the right-hand ‘V’ pole will help train him to stick to the centre.

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