Jumping
Intermediate
35 min
Gymnastic Line: Collected Trot In, Canter Out
Focus: Technique, Transitions, Scope
Equipment: 6 jump poles, 6 jump standards, 2 ground poles
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Set up: collected trot pole at 8 feet, cross-rail, 18 feet to a vertical, 19 feet to a slightly larger vertical.
- Approach at the collected trot. The collected trot pole ensures a correct takeoff to the first fence.
- The horse will collected trot after the first fence. Use the one-stride distances to maintain rhythm.
- Each fence can be slightly larger than the previous one, creating a building exercise.
- Keep your eyes up and your leg active. Let the gymnastic do the training.
- The final fence can be raised 3-6 inches higher than the others to develop scope.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Approaching in canter instead of trot, which throws off the first distance.
- Interfering with the horse's canter between fences.
- Getting ahead of the motion and weighing down the forehand.
- Raising the fences too quickly before the horse builds confidence.
Variations & Progressions
- Add a fourth element at one stride to extend the gymnastic.
- Replace the final fence with an oxer for scope development.
- Add a bending line after the gymnastic to a single fence for course simulation.
Tip: Gymnastics are the most efficient way to improve a horse's jumping technique. 15 minutes of grid work equals an hour of course practice.
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