A SOLID START

Having a horse who is confident about jumping goes hand-in-hand with correct early training. Jessica Mendoza shares her tips for successful foundations

Jessica Mendoza shares her tips for building firm foundations with a green horse.

WHEN TEACHING A young or inexperienced horse about jumping, it’s important to build their confidence slowly. Taking your time in the early stages will pay dividends when you ask the horse to tackle more challenging fences and combinations in the future. Leading British Showjumping star Jessica Mendoza’s advice is to keep things simple. Not pushing your horse too much too soon is the key to building a strong foundation for future training. It also helps to cement your relationship and trust in each other. Follow Jessica’s six top tips for success in the showjumping arena.