Welcome to Trainer Tuesday! Each week we ask trainers a question and gather their answers for you. These trainers have a range of experience, backgrounds, and focus points of their programs, so the answers have as much variation as you would expect and also probably much more similarity.
This week’s question posed is: How do you properly execute ‘slicing’ a jump, and when and why would you do so?
Here are their answers:
“A slice is jumping an obstacle at an angle. When doing so, a couple of things have to be considered:
1. The riders’ balance
2. The space to turn on the back side. The larger and wider the jump, the harder the question of angle jumping
3. Is the desire to go fast overriding good judgment of the level of a rider’s riding? Double clean rounds, repeated over and over again, are what build confidence in both horse and rider.
4. Does the horse turn well in both directions? Does the horse drift, or does the horse jump straight off both leads?
For my students around the country, every new skill is taught over and over again over caveletti before ever setting a 2’ or higher fence. Then we move onto verticals before attempting angle jumping over an oxer or an in and out.” -Diane Carney
Read more from Diane here.
“The option to ‘slice’ or angle across a fence is most commonly found in jumper and higher equitation divisions, but also in handy hunter and derby classes. Slicing a jump can save time on the approach and land a faster or easier track to the next obstacle. It tests the horse’s rideability and athleticism, since slicing a jump is more difficult than riding the straighter approach. A rider’s skill is also tested by angling the jump, as it involves a more challenging track, and the horse must be set up properly.
A vertical is usually a better option to slice than an oxer, because there is less chance of dropping a rail. When judging hunters or equitation, I appreciate a well-done slice in the appropriate class, but not at the expense of the overall rhythm, consistency, and smoothness.
To angle a jump properly, the rider should establish the diagonal line soon after the turn, keeping both the horse’s hindquarters and shoulders on the intended track, instead of just pulling the front end across the fence at the last minute. I have riders practice over a pole first. If they have difficulty seeing the proper angle to slice an obstacle, I’ll set a cone at the beginning and end of the approach.” -Patricia Jellerson
Read more from Patricia here.
“Establish your line early, before the jump, find your angle, visualize the take-off spot, and where you want to land. Keep your horse straight through their body and focus past the jump, where you want your horse to go. Support with your outside leg and rein using the outside leg to prevent drifting and maintain the shoulder with the outside rein.
Rhythm is everything. Keep a consistent canter, active hind end, stay balanced, not flat. Have enough impulsion for a confident jump.
Fold with the horse, use a smaller release, and maintain a centered upper body. Slightly shift your weight down onto your inside stirrup to stay aligned. You will land already angled in the new direction, ready to turn smoothly, without needing a sharp pull to change direction.
Slicing is done to save time, create a better approach over the next fence, and to maintain rhythm. I would slice the jump when it allows for maintaining rhythm and decreases time through the course, as opposed to having to lose rhythm and time by turning after the jump.
Do not slice a jump when the jump is wide, the horse is green or lacks straightness, if your horse tends to drift or evade, or the footing is slippery.” -Amy Hill
Read more from Amy Hill here.
“The difficult part of ‘slicing’ or jumping a jump on an angle is that it makes for a smaller target and thus requires you to provide your horse with more input to have a successful jump. You must ensure that your horse is straight on approach and takeoff, and that they understand that you’re not trying to go around the jump, but rather over it. Too much angle will encourage a runout in a less educated or less confident horse, so it must be used with care and at a level appropriate to you and your horse.
A nicely sliced jump can allow you to save time during a jump off, to make a bending line ride more efficiently, or allow you to show off your skill in an equitation round. Practice at home by starting with small verticals, or even poles, and marking the center with a piece of colored tape to ensure you are jumping the middle. Make sure to keep two legs and two reins to create a chute for your horse to go through. If your horse has a ‘bulge,’ they’re more likely to have a runout at the jump–think about maintaining contact all the way to the base of the jump to ensure your horse stays on the track you’ve established.” –Joanna Novakovic
Read more from Joanna here.
“Slicing a jump is used on a show jumping course when there will be a quick or tight turn following the jump. When slicing a jump, you come in at an angle and jump diagonally across the jump. It has to be done on a careful line since you’re in the air longer and have to keep the feet from touching for a greater distance across the jump. It would never be used on a wide oxer, but it could be performed on a very small oxer.” -Cathy Strobel
Read more from Cathy here.
“Slicing a jump is a test of track and straightness. Most commonly used to be more handy on course, but also a wonderful exercise for horses to sharpen their jump and riders to trust a variety of distances. I like to train my students to jump on an angle, making a chute of poles, or having them connect two jumps on an angle, cantering to a halt point.”-Jamie Grant
Read more from Jamie here.
