Jumping
Beginner
25 min
Trot Poles to a Single Vertical
Focus: Rhythm, Stride Control, Technique
Equipment: 3 ground poles, 2 jump poles, 2 jump standards
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Set up 3 trot poles spaced 9 feet apart, with a vertical 18 feet after the last pole (one stride).
- Approach at the working trot. Trot through the poles maintaining rhythm.
- After the last pole, take one stride and jump the vertical.
- The trot poles establish the perfect rhythm for the approach to the fence.
- Your eyes should be on the fence from the start, not on the poles.
- Repeat 4-6 times. Gradually raise the vertical as the approach becomes consistent.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Breaking rhythm through the canter poles.
- Getting too close to or too far from the vertical after the one-stride.
- The horse chipping in an extra stride between the last pole and the fence.
- Not maintaining leg through the poles, losing impulsion before the fence.
Variations & Progressions
- Add a second fence one stride after the first for a canter-poles-to-line exercise.
- Change the one-stride to a two-stride (27 feet) for a different distance.
- Remove the canter poles once the rhythm is established to test independence.
Tip: Canter poles are rhythm generators. Once the rhythm is set by the poles, your job is just to maintain it to the fence.
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