Clear for take-off — how to jump from the right spot every time

David SIMPSON riding GOTTI VAN PAEMEL; winners of the Equestrian.com Puissance at the at Bolesworth CSI **** International, at Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall, near Chester on the 19th June 2015

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Do you seem to find yourself more often than not, taking off too early or perhaps getting too close to a fence?

Here’s some helpful pointers from Irish international showjumper, David Simpson (pictured), who trained and produced young horses for Shane Breen for seven years, won the Queen’s Cup at Hickstead in 2016 and the Olympia Puissance in 2014.

The most important thing is a good canter — if you don’t have this, it makes it harder to achieve a good distance and then a good jump
You must have control in the canter from the turn — you need to be able to adjust the canter easily either shortening or extending the stride, which comes from a plenty of flatwork practice
A relaxed horse and rider is key — a lot of riders get nervous about achieving the perfect distance and pass this feeling on to the horse, leading to an erratic canter and making it harder to execute.
Always look early on to where you are going — your eye will naturally put you roughly at a good distance so trust what you are looking at.
Ride a correct corner, which should be as close to a right angle as possible — if you cut this, you will end up closer than you planned from the turn and likewise if you overshoot the turn you will end up further away or being forced to add in an extra stride.
Be confident in what you are doing. Remember a horse’s stride is only four yards long, so even if you are the worst possible distance you are only two yards away from the perfect one. Normally you turn with a maximum of 16 yards from the take-off, so even if your flatwork isn’t strong, it should be possible to add or remove those two yards.

David says: “A good simple exercise to help with this is to set up two poles on the ground 24 yards apart, which should be a slightly forward five strides. Come through this on both reins twice on five strides, then come round on each rein on six strides. Count in your head and be strict with yourself. This will teach your horse how to be adjustable and train yourself as a rider to trust your natural eye and be confident in what you see.”

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Clear for take-off — how to jump from the right spot every time

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