Rider and horse over the jump
Rider and horse over the jump © Rubly

Single jumps

If the riding of jumping rows succeeds safely, the jumping of individual obstacles from the canter can be started.
In doing so, the rider learns to follow the correct paths to the jump and after the jump, the so-called line management, to develop the appropriate basic tempo and to stay in a steady rhythm.

In order to ensure a calm, concentrated jumping at the beginning, a trot can be started with the help of a "trot pole". This bar or flat rick is placed about 2.20 m in front of a small jump, e.g. a cross. For the same exercise from the canter, the ground trick is placed approx. 3m before the jump. This makes it easier for the horse to jump rhythmically and for the rider to keep up in movement.
Usually inexperienced riders need several such jumps before they get used to these new movements.

Take-off pole as jump aid
Take-off pole as jump aid © Benkert
  • These obstacles must be set up in a fair and inviting manner and should be equipped with catches.
  • As a preliminary exercise, the individual obstacles are ridden out of the trot with the pole in front of them. Then a half-high or high ground pole is set up in front of the obstacle approx. 6m (depending on the size and canter jump of the horse) in order to find the right jump from the canter.
  • The obstacle is ridden at a steady pace. The rider holds the horse in a light seat in front of the driving aids and lets it canter rhythmically. Too much driving before the jump or too much picking up is faulty and disturbs the harmonious jumping out of an even basic tempo.
  • Besides sitting in the jump, learning how to ride is fundamental for the further progress of the student. The instructor must decide when the rider has sufficient safety to ride a single obstacle from the canter.
  • The take-off and the jumping take place in the middle of the obstacle.
  • During all exercises, care must be taken to ensure that the rider keeps the horse at the aids and continues riding in a straight or predetermined line after the jump.
  • The rider should increasingly be able to maintain his horse's balance before and after the obstacle, because only a horse that is in balance will complete the jumps safely.
  • The basic position of the jumping seat is maintained until the jump.
  • When jumping out of the trot, usually about three to four horse lengths are transferred to this basic position before the jump from the easy trot.
  • The rider sits well balanced and has his horse in front of him at the aids.
  • When starting the jump, the horse should always be ridden with a secure connection between the rider's hand and the horse's mouth, with the neck as the highest point and the forehead-nose-line well in front of the vertical to the jump.
  • At the jump, the rider moves with the horse's movement with his upper body from the hip, but comes more clearly out of the saddle with his buttocks above the jump, without getting in front of the movement.
  • He gives way with his hand in the direction of the horse's mouth, as far as the basculling of the horse requires it, without giving up the connection to the horse's mouth.
Upright obstacle
Upright obstacle © Rubly
  • In the landing phase, the rider straightens up again, bounces the landing from the foot and knee joints in the stirrups, and then comes back up to the saddle with the buttocks.
  • Exercises after the obstacle, which promote the permeability of the horse and thus also the skill of the rider, are e.g. the riding of previously determined turns and transitions.
  • Before and after the jump, an adapted pace, a steady rhythm and control over the required path should be ensured by appropriate action.
  • The speed and rhythm must be secured again after the jump in order to prepare the horse in time for the next obstacle.

During the jumping lesson, it is not the number of jumps that is important, but the correct preparation and well-considered performance requirements. The training must always be arranged in such a way that rider and horse are not overstrained, but that joy and safety are maintained.
Therefore the jumps should be friendly, i.e. adapted to the natural flight curve of the horse. A sufficiently marked baseline makes it easier for the horse to find a rhythmic jump, even if the rider does not yet have a secure feeling for the jump distance. Lateral catches can also lead the horse towards the jump and make it easier to overcome the jump. Instead of catches, catch stands can also be used. For the horse the task is clearer and the rider can start the jump more easily in the middle.

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An important basis for the learning progress in jumping is that the trainer trains the rider to pay attention to every detail during the execution.
The rider must succeed in all phases of the jump


  • Preparatory phase
  • Jump-off phase
  • Flight phase
  • Landing phase
  • Riding on phase

with a balanced seat that is adapted to the respective movement situation and a good influence on the horse.

Above all, this also includes training a hand that holds a sensitive connection, but which gives way at the jump as much as the stretching of the horse's neck requires. For beginners (both riders and young horses) it is advisable to ride over small steep jumps at first, later also over small, not too far high-distance jumps (oxer). Both the inexperienced rider and the young horse must have enough time to adjust to the new obstacle.

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