Calm, Bent, Jump!

 Goal(s) :

This exercise has several objectives, both for the horse and the rider.

- Maintain calmness before jumping
- Work on canter transitions
- Work on bending and changes of bend
For the rider, this exercise is interesting to perform without stirrups in order to improve:
- position
- steadiness of the hands
- following the jump over small fences

 Process :

Setup:
2 ground poles are placed parallel to each other, doubled up along the long side (I recommend setting the distance for 4 to 5 canter strides between the two poles).
Level 1:
The poles are on the ground. Approach at the trot, straight towards the poles, cross the first pole straight, then bend the horse to make a circle to the left. At the end of this circle, return to face the first pole, but this time make a circle to the right, changing the horse’s bend. At the end of the right circle, ride over both poles, staying centered at the trot, without letting the horse speed up.
Level 2:
Same exercise, except the second pole is raised (as a cross-rail or cavaletti). Remain at the trot as in level 1.
Level 3:
As in level 2, but at the end of the two circles, pick up the canter over the first pole and jump the cavaletti at the canter. The horse should wait for the rider’s cue and not take the canter on its own.

 Difficulties :

Some horses may tend to get excited and want to canter from the start; it is important to keep them at the trot.
The circles should be the same size to the left and to the right.
It is important that the rider, when riding without stirrups, keeps their hands steady, especially on the circles.