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How to stop the drift and correct a horse that swerves over a fence

Ellie Hughes Ellie Hughes

    • Like humans, most horses have a dominant side, but too much drifting left or right in the air can land you in trouble, especially when courses become more technical. Top showjumpers Trevor Breen and Jodie Hall McAteer discuss why it happens and what you should do about it in this exclusive article for H&H subscribers

    There are several factors that will affect how you stop your horse drifting over a jump, and the key lesson is that even top-level showjumpers do it, so don’t lose heart. Drifting one way or the other in the air is a common error in showjumping training and competition and one that can have a multitude of causes.

    “Straightness is really important in everything you do, but I’ve had plenty of very good horses that have either jumped left or right in the air. Some I’ve been able to correct, some I haven’t,” says reigning Horse of the Year Show leading rider Trevor Breen, who cites two of his top rides – one past and one present – as prime examples.

    “I used to ride a very talented stallion called Classic who always jumped to the right as a young horse, but the more I worked with him the more I was able to iron out the drift and by the end of our partnership he was basically straight,” he says.

    “By contrast, [current five-star ride] Highland President, has always drifted right in the ring and still does. The important thing for me is that I adapt my riding accordingly and that I’m very aware of where his drift might put me off my line and alter a distance, making it too long or short, or how it might affect a turn in a jump-off. That’s all part and parcel of my job as a rider.

    Highland President with Trevor Breen. How to stop horse drifting over jump

    Trevor Breen adapts his riding to cater for Highland President’s tendency to drift – it hasn’t stopped him succeeding at the highest level. Credit: Alamy

    “There are many good horses who have their own, unique styles, but the careful ones figure out a way of leaving the poles up,” he adds.

    Nevertheless, it is important to know why a horse jumps to one side. There are generally three reasons:

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