Part 5: When one rider loses confidence and holds onto her horse too tight over the fence, Christopher works with her to help her understand the importance of trusting the process, and having prepared the horse so well in training that she can rely on that training in competition to avoid a confidence crisis. Working through a turn quickly exposes any issues in the riders rhythm and allows them to see how much improvement can be made by getting it correct and maintaining into and after the fence. Christopher highlights how much time they save over each fence, and a course as a whole when they keep the rhythm and ride smooth.
Up Next in Cross-Country
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Galway Symposium, Cross Country - Part 4
Part 4: As the riders progress to the water element, Christopher gives a demonstration on using the rein aids, including how to make a single bridge and how to change the whip on course. He explains how easily a single bridge allows the rider to slip or shorten the reins, and suggests everyone pr...
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Galway Symposium, Cross Country - Part 3
Part 3: Christopher works with a rider to establish a more secure landing position and lengthen the rein so as not to be pulled forward. He also explains that even small lapses in attention can change a line dramatically, as one second is two strides on the approach. By keeping impulsion, the rid...
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Galway Symposium, Cross Country - Part 2
Part 2: Christopher explains the importance of focusing on rhythm at landing rather than rhythm on approach, as he feels the latter often causes riders to unintentionally slow down into a fence. He sets up an exercise with a corner and a skinny and explains that the classic correct approach to a ...
