Jumping
Beginner
20 min
One-Stride Pole Exercise at the Trot
Focus: Stride Control, Rhythm, Technique
Equipment: 2 ground poles
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Set up 2 ground poles spaced 18 feet apart (one trot stride between them).
- Approach at the trot. The horse should land after the first pole, take one trot stride, and step over the second pole.
- Focus on maintaining a steady trot rhythm. Don't adjust the horse's stride — let the poles teach.
- If the horse chips in an extra stride, the trot is too slow. Approach with more impulsion next time.
- If the horse gets too close to the second pole, the trot is too fast. Half-halt on approach.
- Repeat 4-6 times from each direction until the one-stride feels effortless.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding an extra stride because the canter lacks impulsion.
- The horse jumping both poles in one big leap instead of striding between them.
- The rider interfering by pulling or pushing at the wrong moment.
- Not approaching on a straight line, causing the horse to drift sideways.
Variations & Progressions
- Change the distance to 21 feet (one longer stride) to practice lengthening.
- Add a third pole at 18 feet for a two-stride exercise.
- Replace the ground poles with small cross-rails for a one-stride jumping exercise.
Tip: Pole distances teach your eye. Once you can see a one-stride from 6 strides away, you're developing the feel for related distances.
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