Jumping Position at the Trot Over Ground Poles

JUMPING POSITION AT THE TROT OVER GROUND POLES

Instructor______Club/Center______Region______Year______

Topic: Maintain jumping position at the trot on Certification Level: D-2 the flat and over ground poles.

Class Size: 2-6 Time: 20 min Arena Size Needed: At least a small dressage ring

Objective: D-2 Jumping: Maintain jumping position at the trot on the flat and over ground poles.

Equipment Needed: 3 ground poles References: USPC D Manual, 2nd Edition, pp 96-98

Safety Concerns: Safety Check: Calm experienced pony, confident student with no Medical armband/bracelet. prior scary incident Before riding: bridle fit/safety, girth tight/stitching, leathers stitching/bars, helmet fit/approved, horse boots fit/attachments.

Lesson Procedure

1. Introduction of Self/Students “Hello, my name is ______and I am ______member from ______Pony Club or Riding Center. Let’s go around the room and you can tell me you name, certification, and your horse’s name.” Allow the students to do this and give each one a name tag.

2. Verbalize Objective of Lesson “Today we are going to learn how to maintain a jumping position at the trot. After we are able to do that, we will work on maintaining jumping position over poles.”

3. Ask Prior Knowledge of Topic “How many of you can already hold your jumping position at the halt? How about the walk? Who remembers the other names for jumping positions?” (2 point or half seat)

4. Demonstration/Discussion “First we are going to discuss our position. Could I have a volunteer please? Ride your pony in front of the group so we can see you from the side. Thank you (perpendicular so they can all see). I will discuss everything you should consider while in your position, and you can double check to see how our volunteer is doing. Consider: - Seat bones close, but just out of the saddle - Back long and flat - Knees ankles and hip joints springy - Heels down - Calf on the side of the horse - Eyes up - Hand resting on the neck - Knees over toes Any questions? Ok, you can sit down. Now I would like each of you to go up in jumping position and see if you have all these points correct. (make corrections in position as you go thru the list) - Seat bones close, but just out of the saddle? - Back long and flat? - Knees ankles and hip joints springy? - Heels down? - Calf on the side of the horse? - Eyes up? - Hand resting on the neck? - Knees over toes? Did anyone realize that they needed to fix anything? (Allow answers)

I am going to do a quick heel check. If your heels aren’t down, and your horse trips or takes a weird step or even chooses to hop over the ground pole, you may lose your balance. Everyone go into jumping position. I am going to walk around and pull on your reins as if I am the horse. If you don’t get pulled forward, then you are doing a good job with your heels.

Now, just for fun, I am going to have you put your toes down. Let’s see what happens when I pull on your reins this time. (Walk from person to person doing this. Be careful not to pull the horse’s mouth) Great. Who noticed that they lost their balance much easier when they had their heels up? So that is what happens when your heels are not down and you can see how important they are.

Now let’s talk about springy joints. It is pretty easy to maintain the jumping position at the walk or halt, but when the horse trots, there is a lot of movement underneath of you. If you aren’t springy, you won’t follow the movement. Without bouncing on our horses’ backs, move your body up and down at the halt and see if your hips, knees and ankles feel springing and loose.”

5. Application of the activity: “Now that we have thought carefully about our positions, let go forward to the walk tracking to the _____ and keeping your distance. As you walk go into jumping position. Pay attention to your heels, springy joints and the fact that you are looking up. (As they do this make note of any position issues you see and make corrections.) Now, let’s shorten our reins and go to posting trot. (Make sure that everyone has good control of their mounts.) Great! Now show me your amazing jumping positions at the trot. (wait for everyone to get into position) Where do you feel the spring the most? (wait for answers) And is everyone looking forward with their heels down? (a collective yes would be ideal) Ok, then lets come to walk and change direction. Then we can try it the other way. (It is important to see both sides in order to correct any balance issues) Alright back to trot. (wait for everyone to have their mounts well under control) And now, back to those springy and balanced jumping positions! (Allow them to ride in their positions for about 30 seconds. They may get tired, but encourage them) Alright, we can take a quick walk break. I will set up three ground poles along the rail. When you go over the poles you will not change a thing, you will simply allow your horse to go over the poles while in jumping position. (Set the poles along the rail so that the students don’t have to consider steering. Just allow the poles to be a part of the arena) Ok, let’s start by walking over the poles. Just to make sure your ponies are comfortable, you can sit while walking over the poles the 1st time, then on the 2nd time, let’s get into jumping position. (If any horses seem unsure, allow them to walk over additional times) Now, let’s go to posting trot, staying on the rail and keep a safe distance from each other. You will ride one time over the poles in posting trot and then you may ride over the poles in jumping position. Think about heels, springs, and eyes! Heels, springs, eyes! Heels, springs, eyes!” (once everyone has gone 2x, allow your students to walk and come into the center.)

6. Additional Ideas if time allows: Students can try steering over the poles. The poles could be set up in different parts of the arena. Go in both directions

7. Conclusion: “Well done! Can everyone remind me of one thing they need to think about while doing jumping position over poles? (allow everyone to state something). Great, so now you can get really good at riding over poles, and soon, you will be jumping! Any questions?”

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