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"Every horse is an individual," he continued. "Some are smart and pick stuff up right away, others are a little dumber and need more time or a different approach. But you need to teach them how to learn so they can answer new questions." Most commonly this process can be done in the ring practicing flatwork, and out on the trail where the opportunity for new challenges and stimuli abound. However, understanding how your horse thinks is a process that can be going on during all the time you spend with your horse-in his stall during feeding time, in the cross ties while being groomed, or watching him play in the field with his buddies. They key to a successful eventing partnership is a strong bond and relationship between horse and rider. Once you have begun the process of analyzing your horse's mind, it's time to tackle the flat work. Since the first phase of eventing is a dressage test, it seems obvious good flat work is a key to the basics, but Ebersole feels its importance is much more broad-based than merely the first phase of competition.
"I'm not so worried about carriage or frame at this point" he continued. "But rather the accuracy and response to the aids. If you want to 'test' yourself, try doing a schooling dressage show and ride the Training level event test, which has the beginning of lengthenings. If you feel comfortable, and your marks are favorable, you probably have the correct foundation to build upon." Finally and obviously, your horse needs to learn how to jump. The best way to start this process is with quality instruction, but if that isn't an option and you feel comfortable and experienced enough to start his process yourself, the key is to go slow and stay small. "Though in eventing we don't require the same sort of jumping form as, say, the show hunters, we still require a good, educated jumper, because our fences don't come down," said Ebersole. "They need to know how to approach a fence straight and calm, pick up their legs appropriately, and land at the same basic pace, balance, and line that they approached on." One of the best reasons to have quality instruction is so that you can have "eyes on the ground" to tell you how the horse is jumping, However, if that isn't an option for you, Ebersole says there are certain things to feel for. "If you are riding them, when they jump it should feel good. Quiet, smooth, and all one motion-nothing herky-jerky. Their attitude should stay positive and happy," he said. If you can either free jump your horse, or have someone else sit on him for you, there are also key things to look for when watching a horse jump from the ground. "From the ground you can look at their form," said Ebersole. "Do they push strongly and evenly from behind in the take-off, do the fold their knees up well, are they drifting in the air to one side or the other?" Small gymnastics exercises can be used to improve your accuracy as a rider, and your horse's form and adjustability. At all times, stresses Ebersole, you as the rider need to be riding as correctly as possible, with your heels down and lower leg on to form a good base of support, eyes up, keeping your balance through your leg and seat, not on the horses mouth. Practice your two-point a lot to prepare for jumping, and do flat work without stirrups to strengthen your legs and seat. In Part two of our training journey, Ebersole will discuss other basic skills the young even horse needs, including the best way to introduce signature cross-country questions like banks, ditches and water.
Read Part two.
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