5 jumping exercises to improve accuracy and jumping line

Show jumping is a discipline that requires accuracy, balance, a controlled line to the fence, and harmony between horse and rider. Whether you are preparing for a competition, looking to progress technically, or simply enjoying leisure riding, these 5 jumping exercises will help you refine your track, your control, and your communication with your horse.

1. The six cross-rails: an exercise to work on accuracy

Goal

Improve straightness, jumping the centre of the fence, and balance down a line of cross-rails.

Why it’s useful

Cross-rails are very effective for working on accuracy and helping the horse to jump right through the centre of the fence.

How to ride it

1. Set up six cross-rails as shown on the diagram.
2. Approach in canter, straight, riding your horse from the inside leg into the outside rein.
3. Aim to maintain a regular rhythm before and after the jumps.

Pro tip: focus on your position (eyes up, shoulders aligned), as the rider’s balance helps the horse stay straight and shape its turns.

Exercise sheet : https://appaloo-equestrian.fr/fr/obstacle/les-six-croises

2. The guideline line: keeping your horse straight and consistent

Goal

Develop an accurate line between two fences.

How to do it

1. Set three cross-poles or small fences on a straight line, spaced at least 4 strides apart.
2. Between each fence, ride a volte or a small circle.
3. First school the exercise in trot before riding it in canter.
4. You can gradually increase the number of fences.

Our tip: Make sure you maintain a regular rhythm. This is often what can spoil your lines and turns.

Exercise sheet : https://appaloo-equestrian.fr/fr/obstacle/ligne-directrice

3. The Balloon: turns and looping track exercise

Goal

Improve steering and accuracy on bending lines

Why it’s relevant

This exercise consists of riding a loop of fences around cones. This session helps the rider visualise the lines, keep the horse in front of the leg through the turns, and work on curved lines.

How to do it

1. Set up 3 fences and cones to create small loops as shown in the diagram.
2. In canter, jump the first fence.
3. Ride between the cones, work on your bending line, then turn towards the second fence.
4. Repeat, alternating left and right rein to keep the horse even and balanced.

Tip: Pay attention to which lead your horse lands on. If he lands on the left lead, jump the fence on the left, and vice versa.

Exercise sheet: https://appaloo-equestrian.fr/fr/obstacle/le-ballon-1

4. The House: turning and rebalancing between fences

Goal

Work on the horse’s ability to turn neatly between several fences and to extend the exercise line.

What this develops

• The horse’s responsiveness to the aids.
• The ability to get back on the correct line after a jump.
• Overall balance

Tip: If the turns are too tight at first, you can make them wider (if the size of your arena allows).

Exercise sheet : https://appaloo-equestrian.fr/fr/obstacle/la-maison

5. Steering through a jumping course: working on line fluidity

Goal

With just 4 fences, these exercises let you school several types of tracks: doubles, bending lines, and even angled approaches.

What this develops

• Fluency between fences and the ability to stay on a logical track.
• The ability to manage distances between fences (for example 5 strides = ~20 m).
• Mental control and anticipation of the aids.

How to ride it

1. Set up 4 fences: one double and one angled line, as shown on the diagram.
2. School each section separately: first on the straight line, then on the bending line, and finally on the angled line.
3. The cones help to channel the horse, but you can remove them to finish the exercise without visual guides.

Best practice: Once all the approaches are established, you can start riding a full course.

Exercise sheet : https://appaloo-equestrian.fr/fr/obstacle/diriger-lors-dun-enchainement-de-sauts

These five exercises are designed to add variety to your jumping work, improve your accuracy on your lines, and develop your control of track and rhythm. By schooling them during your ridden sessions, you and your horse will progress step by step… which will result in smoother courses and cleaner rounds.