Jumping Beginner 20 min

Ground Pole Grid: Four-Stride Line at the Walk

Focus: Stride Control, Accuracy, Adjustability

Equipment: 2 ground poles, 4 cones or markers

Set up 2 ground poles with 60 feet between them (4 normal walk strides).
Place cones alongside to mark a straight track.
Approach at the working walk. Count your strides: 1-2-3-4. The horse should arrive at the second pole in exactly 4 strides.
If you get 5 strides, open your horse's stride next time. If you get 3, collect more.
Now try to fit 5 strides in the same distance (shorter, more collected strides).
Then try 3 strides (longer, more open strides).
This adjustability is the foundation of all course riding.

Counting strides wrong — start counting when the horse lands after the first pole.
Pulling on the reins to add strides instead of using your seat and half-halts.
Kicking to remove strides instead of opening your body and allowing a bigger canter.
Not approaching on a straight line, making the distance longer or shorter than intended.

Set up two different four-stride lines and ride them on a course.
Add cross-rails instead of ground poles for a more realistic exercise.
Practice the exercise counting down: 4-3-2-1 to develop awareness of where each stride falls.

Tip: Four strides is the most common related distance in show jumping. Master this and you can ride any course.