Strengthening Your Cross-Country Seat

For a horse and rider to successfully negotiate solid fences and ride across undulating terrain at speed, the rider must first be able to maintain a balanced forward position with the stirrups at jumping length, before even considering approaching a jump. These basics will enable the horse to stay in balance, lighten the load he has to carry and prepare both the horse and rider for cross-country jumping.

Unable to Maintain Cross-Country Position

A lack of physical strength in the upper body and legs, coupled with a lack of balance, are the common causes of riders being unable to support their weight when riding in a forward position. Common problems include balancing on the horse's neck or reins, tipping forwards or bouncing in the saddle and general rider fatigue.

By improving your overall balance in the saddle, you will also gradually and indirectly improve your strength. Enquire at your local gym about a strengthening programme, squats and forward lunges are great for strengthening leg and buttock muscles while lying on your front on the floor and carefully lifting your head and shoulders up slightly strengthens the back.

Practise riding with your weight out of the saddle progressing to work over trotting poles. Start with just one pole and build up to a grid of six, ensuring the distance between the poles is correct for your horse's stride length. approach the poles in a rising trot. As you reach the poles stay up on the rise and let your weight drop down through your heels and relaxed ankles.

Do not rely on your reins for balance. Once you can trot over a row of six poles without tipping forwards or resting your hands on the horse's neck, progress to grid work with a small fence at the end. After you have mastered this you can go on to tackle small obstacles on undulating ground.

Concentrate on keeping your seat just above the saddle and on dropping your legs around the horse. Steady, frequent work like this will both strengthen you and improve your horse's technique in a few weeks.

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