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User name:
Lisa
Email address:
lisa@ridewelltraining.com
Date:
11/08/09 23:10:47 |
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Hi Sian
three things:
Firstly make sure you and your horse are fit enough for the job. How fit will depend on what level you are riding at, but most horses can be made fit enough for training thru pre novice with decent cantering work at least once a week and preferably twice a week. Just simple cantering for enough time to make your horse blow (2 or 3 mminutes probably) then letting him recover and cantering again, repeating three of four times will be enough to build his fitness. Cantering up gentle incline is very good as well ans better for his legs. To go xc for 5 minutes your horse should be cantering on the flat for 5 minutes non stop happily, if he struggles with this, you may need to canter him slightly longer on his training sessions until he is no longer finding it tricky. there are lots of books on fitness and interval training is a great idea to learn.
Secondly you need to ride the line of the track and not waste anytime going to wide on turns or losing time ging the long routes unless yu have to. Evaluate the track of the course carefully and establish the tightest shortest route and ride it.
Thirdly, remember to know your xc course really well, to go fast and efficiently xc you muts know where you are going and be ready to turn at all the right places to keep on the shortest track. This may mean walking the course two or three times to get it right. the first time to orientate yourself and see the fences, second time to learn the lines and establish the routes through the combinations and thrid time to walk it as if you were riding it, imagining yoursefl thorugh every stride jumping the prefect round.
Hope this helps. Good Luck
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