KEEP THE REVS UP
Lucinda praises Brooks’ halt: he listens to his rider and comes back to her as soon as he is asked. The halt must be purposeful, straight and a clear transition, but in a smooth way — not by pulling hard on the reins. “If you’re on a hot horse, you’ve got to be clever and be quick to tell him to go forward again before he starts to fidget. You know they will want to go, but make it your decision, not theirs. That’s not an issue with Brooks, he’s very patient.” Allison and Brooks jump some rails with a downhill landing. Their instructions are to halt before reaching the drop after it, which they do. “Now turn on a sixpence and jump the fence in the opposite direction,” says Lucinda. Allison describes this as the best jump yet. “That’s because Brooks was in front of your leg the whole way,” explains Lucinda. “He responded immediately to your aid and went forward in an active canter. It’s what you need to aim for every time. “A lot of people forget to use their legs when they’re nervous. You didn’t, and that’s good. He’s so sweet that he goes, but one day he won’t because you haven’t kept the engine revs up.”