Jumping Intermediate 25 min

Circle to a Fence

Focus: Track Planning, Rhythm, Approach

Equipment: 2 jump poles, 2 jump standards, 4 cones or markers

Set up a single fence on the 20-meter circle line.
Establish a balanced canter on the 20-meter circle. Focus on rhythm and balance.
After 1-2 circles, jump the fence as part of the circle. Don't change anything for the fence.
The approach should feel like a continuation of the circle, not a separate event.
After the fence, continue on the circle. The canter rhythm should be the same after as before.
This exercise teaches you to jump out of rhythm rather than treating every fence as a crisis.

Changing the canter 3-4 strides before the fence, disrupting the circle.
Cutting in toward the fence instead of maintaining the circle track.
Tightening the arms and upper body on the approach.
Landing and immediately pulling the horse back instead of continuing the circle.

Add a second fence on the opposite side of the circle for a two-fence circle exercise.
Ride the circle in both directions over the fence.
Gradually raise the fence while maintaining the circle rhythm.

Tip: Jumping on a circle strips away all the mental noise. There's no 'approach' — there's just a canter rhythm with a fence in the way.