Equestrian
TRAINING HORSES
with Robert Booth BHSI
Along with our usual training
evening for the Vectis
Equestrian Club, where we
alternate between flatwork,
pole work and jumping, I have
been lucky enough to help
the Club’s combined training
teams, both junior and senior,
with their showjumping
training this spring.
I have to say that we have some
promising combinations coming
forward, and with team organisers
Georgina Leovold and Jane Frost, we are getting a
structured programme going. Being part of The British
Horse Society, the Riding Clubs are very popular on the
Island, and Vectis are very active with teams dressage,
jumping, training, and spider rides etc.
Being part of a team requires a huge amount of
work, dedication and team spirit, not only from the
team members, but from their helpers too. Getting
teams of horses and riders to and from the mainland,
all with up-to-date passports and flu vaccinations, and
riding hats tagged to specifications must be a logistical
nightmare. Good luck with all that, Georgina and Jane!
For the combined training, each team member has
to ride a dressage test, prelim or novice, followed by
a round of show jumps at 75cm and 85cm height,
depending on the class they are in. Scores are added
together and the best team wins. Doing the training as
a team will hopefully give the riders confidence and a
few tips on how to achieve a good jumping round and
have a good day - so good luck to team Vectis.
On a different note, thank you to all the people who
nominated and voted for me in The British Horse
Society, Isle of Wight branch Equestrian Hero Award
2017. It’s nice to feel appreciated.
Robert Booth is an equine trainer for Rodgebrook
Horses. Visit www.rodgebrookhorses.co.uk or
telephone 01983 521870.
Useful tips on training your
horse: Related distances
A related distance is a set
number of strides between
two fences.
Some course builders will
sometimes set the distance
a little too long or short
to test the rider’s ability to
shorten and lengthen their
horse’s stride.
The key to a related
distance is maintaining a
rhythm, and an exercise
using poles in the middle
of each stride between two
jumps will help you to learn
to keep even strides between
the fences so as to not end
up either too far away or too
close to the second fence,
usually ending in a fault.
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