John Michael talks about the importance of being able to go from a forward gallop to a balanced canter before a jump without disturbing the horse's rhythm. It is important to conserve energy and be as fast as possible. Then Colleen demonstrates galloping up a hill, prepare for, and then jump the ...

John Michael explains and Colleen Rutledge demonstrates the idea of jumping downhill. He stresses the importance of staying out of the horse's way upon landing and focusing on the next fence (if there is one) or traveling across the ground.

John Michael shares details on how to jump uphill for a Novice level horse/rider. He stresses that the most important thing is for the rider to sit up and balance the canter going uphill. Keep the eyes up and allow the horse to find his way to the jump.

John Michael explains his thoughts behind how a keyhole jump is set from a course designer's perspective, and he explains how to ride it. Then Colleen demonstrates how she would ride it.

John Michael explains and Colleen Rutledge demonstrates how to properly ride a corner jump seen at the more advanced levels. He points out the markers that are used to identify the front, back and corners of the jump so the horse can see what he needs to clear when galloping at speed.

John Michael talks about the decision a rider has to make when there is an object such as a bush in the middle of a line. He stresses that there is no wrong answer and explains the pros and cons of each while Colleen demonstrates them.

John Michael talks about getting into and out of water. Especially for beginner novice and novice level riders, he encourages thinking of the edge of the water as a jump. It is important to protect the balance of the canter going in and out because the water will change the horse's rhythm.

John Michael explains how to introduce jumping a fence in water with a horse and rider that have never done that before.  He stresses to ride the edge of the water like a jump, make sure the horse sees the fence in the water, and then ride the edge of the water coming out like a jump. Since how t...

John Michael talks about factors to consider when riding and jumping through water on cross country. Colleen demonstrates how to school the water with a focus on the edge of the water, a jump in the water and the edge of the water on the way out.

Join Phillip Dutton and these fantastic riders as they head out for their first cross-country school in the spring. Watch for how their horses become more relaxed and adjustable as the schooling progresses.

Phillip coaches an early spring cross-country schooling session with two upper-level riders. They have already warmed up on their own, and he begins with having them jump a few galloping fences. With the first rider he explains how to get the horse to pat the ground in front of the fence and push...

Phillip moves on to creating exercises that require the riders to shorten their horses' strides and be adjustable. They school banks and water and concentrate on not just being strong to the fences.

Learn from one of the best in the world with Olympic event rider Lucinda Green in these cross country schooling videos including banks and ditches. Watch for the release of the next set of videos for the rest of this day of schooling that will include water.

Lucinda runs this group through Training level cross country exercises. They first warm up on fences of their choice, then Lucinda explains her meaning for ELBOW. Each rider begins from the start box on a short course of their own as a warm-up.

Riders now school walking up a small bank with no trot steps. Lucinda explains that it’s necessary for them to take their time with this exercise. They eventually go up and down the small bank and then add a fence with a turn before the bank, and a small fence downhill off the bank. Lucinda then ...

The next challenge is ditches. They start out by walking over a small ditch in both directions before moving on to a fence a few strides before the ditch. The next step is the ditch to a skinny to a fence, and then a skinny both before and after the ditch. The emphasis is on letting the horse lea...

This second half of the second day of a cross country clinic with Lucinda Green covers a water complex as well as a few short courses tying several fences together. While it’s a Training group, watch how the babies shine in these tough exercises!

Lucinda continues the second day of this clinic with exercises at the water complex. The emphasis is on no runouts, with a forward ride and the rider sitting back. They take several routes through the water including jumping in over a small log, out to barrels, and then a more difficult route ove...

The next challenge is a short course tying several fences together. Riders start over a drop, several strides to an inviting fence (concentrating on a straight line to this fence), then up a rise to two small fences at a one or two strides, with a 90-degree turn to the final fence.

Riders finish the clinic with one last course that uses ditches as well as regular fences. Again, Lucinda emphasizes the direction of travel, riding a straight line and keeping the horse's engine going.

Five-star event rider Jennie Brannigan brings us a lesson focused on changing the balance of the horse through a jumping grid and allowing the fence to hold the horse rather than the rider’s hands.

Jennie helps upper-level riders in one of their first schools back after a rest. She shows the importance of the details - the right canter, straight line halts and even the turn after the end of the exercise. These talented riders are able to demonstrate an incredible change in the canter for ea...

Jennie changes up the grid by adding more height. However, the riders must work to keep the canter they have developed through the previous exercise.

To finish the ride, Jennie adds a few more fences making the grid a course where the challenge is to keep the shape of the canter while coming to single fences.