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: What does your student need to be able to do competently to move up from 2’6″ to 3′?
Here are their answers:
“For a student to move competently from 2’6″ to 3′, I want to see much more than the ability to ‘get over’ bigger fences. They should have an independent, balanced position; consistent rhythm and pace control; and the ability to create and maintain a quality canter. The rider should be able to see and adjust a distance, ride accurate lines and turns, and stay effective before and after the jump, not just at it. I also look for mental readiness: confidence without rushing, the ability to handle mistakes without falling apart, and an understanding that flatwork, adjustability, and correct basics are what truly make the bigger jumps possible. When those pieces are in place, moving up becomes a natural progression rather than a leap.” –Tiffani Donahue
“Lots of practice and conversations between rider and trainer! I make sure at home that the horse and rider are super comfy completing full courses at 3-3’3″. I also make sure that at shows rider and horse are ‘boring me’ like they can do it with no problem—they can make little mistakes—we all do, but nothing huge. They both look at ease at 2’6″ at a show and home! We never push someone or a horse to do more than they are comfortable with, so talking about moving up is very important to get a sense of comfort level too. Never do we want to overface a horse or rider at any height, but always want goals and everyone to be able to achieve those goals too!!” –Dana Hart-Callanan
“The two main differences when moving from 2’6″ to 3’ classes are the jump height and the introduction of combinations in the courses. This requires a more secure position over a larger jump and comfort with standard 12’ striding on course. I like to introduce the new height of jumps through gymnastic grids first, allowing horse and rider to get comfortable with the physical effort before adding the challenge of a full course, and is a great way to introduce a combination.” -Dustin Cossaboom
