Part 1: Clayton introduces his lovely Holsteiner mare and explains why it's so important for the horse to be focused for skinny or accuracy fences. Often the horse gets too focused on the rider if they are not used to be independent on the approach, and doesn't get a chance to see the jump until they too close, and will subsequently run out or spook. Clayton addresses this by schooling with skinnies and teaching the horse to find the fence and take him into it. He warms up, paying close attention to his transitions first and foremost, then adds a small fence. Clayton sets the mare up and then gives her progressively more responsibility so she has to look for the jump.
Up Next in Cross-Country
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Schooling Before Competition, Prelimi...
Two time Olympic Gold Medalist, Phillip Dutton's Schooling Before Competition session, focused on preliminary and intermediate level. Phillip works with a group of rides on the cross country course to reinforce the important elements of schooling before competition. He focuses on rideability and ...
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Schooling Before Competition, Prelimi...
Part 2: The riders work on riding forward. Phillip has the group incorporate a gallop into the course, making it even more critical that they maintain the line and rate their speed before take off. They work over challenging terrain and a hill. Phillip coaches them to control the speed without ta...
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Schooling Before Competition, Prelimi...
Part 1: Phillip explains that he likes to make sure the horse is reading the jump and backing off, which allows the rider to keep the rein soft. As the riders come into the fences Phillip encourages them to make their turns, set the horses up square and then get quieter and leave them to answer t...
