Part 4: As the riders progress to the water element, Christopher gives a demonstration on using the rein aids, including how to make a single bridge and how to change the whip on course. He explains how easily a single bridge allows the rider to slip or shorten the reins, and suggests everyone practices whilst hacking to get comfortable with having the reins in one hand. One rider learns to ride more aggressively to help her horse who tends to slow coming into the water, while another practices giving up control to allow the horse to have more rein on the approach to the water. All the riders struggle to give a long enough rein, and Christopher works with them to allow the horses their neck through a jump.
Up Next in Cross-Country
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Galway Symposium: Cross Country | Chr...
Part 5: When one rider loses confidence and holds onto her horse too tight over the fence, Christopher works with her to help her understand the importance of trusting the process, and having prepared the horse so well in training that she can rely on that training in competition to avoid a confi...
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Galway Symposium: Cross Country | Chr...
Part 2: Christopher explains the importance of focusing on rhythm at landing rather than rhythm on approach, as he feels the latter often causes riders to unintentionally slow down into a fence. He sets up an exercise with a corner and a skinny and explains that the classic correct approach to a ...
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Galway Symposium: Cross Country | Chr...
Part 3: Christopher works with a rider to establish a more secure landing position and lengthen the rein so as not to be pulled forward. He also explains that even small lapses in attention can change a line dramatically, as one second is two strides on the approach. By keeping impulsion, the rid...
