William coaches riders over ditches alone first and then with fences before and after the ditch. His emphasis is on riding the horse straight. If the horse spooks and stops at a ditch, William wants him to jump it from a standstill. He stresses to put the leg on and stay with the horse if it hesitates.
Up Next in Cross-Country
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Novice Level Banks
William has the riders jump up and down a bank. He tells them to imagine it is level ground with jumps and not think of it as jumping up and down. He wants everyone to stay relaxed. The canter should be collected so that even if they get deep they are still able to jump up or down the bank.
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Novice Level Mounds
William wants the riders to keep the same canter rhythm up and down the hills. He doesn't want them to let their horses break to trot. They need to keep cantering, keep their balance, keep their reins short and stay organized.
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Novice Level Water
They end the day at the water complex starting with trotting in and cantering out. When they add a jump, William tells them to keep the canter short through the water so the horses don't get too fast and flat. They finish with a short course that includes the water.
