‘How can I improve my speed on the cross-country?’
Olympic event rider Gemma Tattersall offers advice on making the optimum time across country
FROM novice upwards, it’s difficult for people to make the time cross-country naturally and most people have to work at it.
When I first started competing at the upper levels, I definitely struggled to make the time and had to learn how to do it. Once I got going and my confidence improved, I found it a lot easier.
A horse that is naturally quicker across the ground will find making the time much easier, such as the more blood, thoroughbred types, as do horses who don’t pull or fight, as it means you can keep a good rhythm much more easily. The less setting up you have to do before a fence, the quicker you are.
TACKLING THE ISSUE
1 Wear a watch when you go cantering and time yourself from one point to another, so you start to get a feel for the speed you need to go.
2 Practise your canter rhythm, even if that’s just with poles and small jumps in the arena. Get into your crosscountry position and practise keeping a good canter rhythm. The aim is to become confident enough in your rhythm that you don’t have to adjust your canter before each pole or jump. The better you are at maintaining a rhythm, the quicker you will be.
3 Practise your preparation point using your seat, so go from a forward, out-of-the-saddle position, to a more upright position, followed by a gentle half-halt to balance your horse while maintaining the same rhythm.
Your preparation point should start about six strides out from the fence. This helps to maintain the same forward rhythm and keep a good pace while ensuring your horse is balanced and listening enough to jump safely.
4 Make sure you are quick galloping away from fences after landing, so as soon as you land, get going.
‘Be quick away from your fences, so as soon as you land, get going’