The Spider and the Cloverleaf

 Goal(s) :

– Work on riding curves and landing on the correct lead
– Check the horse’s honesty over fences
– Increase the reactivity of the forehand during the jump

 Process :

After warming up your horse at all three gaits and checking its suppleness through various transitions and basic flatwork exercises, as well as warming up over poles, ride the cloverleaf pattern over small fences set at cube height (80 cm). Once this exercise is performed correctly, you can jump the cube itself. Be aware that some horses may be impressed by the poles 'framing' the cube, which create a chute effect, and may be surprised by jumping the cube if they are not used to different types of fences. If the cube poses no problem for the horse, you can raise the poles on each side. This variation of the exercise will help develop the horse’s forehand reactivity and straightness over the poles.

 Difficulties :

You need a calm horse that lands on the correct lead, maintains bend through the turns, and stays straight over the fence, with no resistance.