What’s in Your Arena? is an EN series sponsored by Attwood Equestrian Surfaces in which riders share their favorite jumping exercises. It’s easy to get stuck in a training rut, and we hope this will inspire you with fresh ideas that you can take home and incorporate into your own programs.
For this week’s What’s In Your Arena? we share another Lainey Ashker #GOTD gem! Lainey’s exercise offers a plethora of options for greenies all the way through Advanced-level horses.
The most straightforward path would be up the middle through the three cross rail oxers separated by a short two strides, then turning left or right to an outside line. But, since this figure spans the entire arena, riders can feel free to try a variety of courses.
Lainey starts on a well-schooled horse, but fence height can be adjusted for experience level.
Photo via Lainey Ashker.
“I created this exercise to focus on the development of engagement in the canter and continuing to bring that powerful hind leg forward to a grid – the tall cross rail oxers aid in maintaining straightness,” Lainey said.
“The outside lines are built in mirror images of one another and ride totally different so it’s a great way for the rider to experience collecting to a bounce or moving forward to a combination all the while keeping the horse engaged. What I like most about this course is that you can play with it and create your own fun course out of it as you go!”
Do you have an exercise to share or is there an eventer you would like to nominate for the “What’s in Your Arena?” series? Email [email protected].
