Galop 2In the saddle
Contents
- 01WelcomeOverview
- 02The five sensesKnowledge
- 03Life in the herdKnowledge
- 04The mouth and mealsKnowledge
- 05Feed, water, mealsCaring for the horse
- 06Housing, catching, turning outKnowledge
- 07More coats and patchesKnowledge
- 08The legsKnowledge
- 09Three breedsKnowledge
- 10GroomingCaring for the horse
- 11Quick-release knot and bridleCaring for the horse
- 12Saddling, saddle careCaring for the horse
- 13Work on footOn foot
- 14Mounting, girth, reinsIn the saddle
- 15Going forward, changing gaitIn the saddle
- 16Sitting or light seatIn the saddle
- 17Figures and arena rulesKnowledge
- 18The first fenceIn the saddle
- 19Equestrian activitiesKnowledge
- 20RevisionRevision
Jumping a small fence
In Galop 2, jumping is a first taste: popping over a small fence on the track, at trot and then at canter, staying in balance before, during and after.
In the exam programme
- Jump a small fence on the track at trot and canter.Specific part
The Galop 2 fence is small — often a cross-pole, no higher than 50 cm in the FFE’s teaching guides — and set on the track, along the edge: no tricky steering, the horse arrives straight. The aim is to jump with confidence and keep your balance. In Galop 3 the single fence goes up to about 60 cm and you will ride several in a row.
The fence
- Jump stand
- Jump cup
- Cross-pole: two poles crossed, the low point in the middle
- Red flag, on the right
- White flag, on the left
- The wings
- The upright stands on either side of the fence.
- The cups
- The supports fixed to the wings, which the poles rest in.
- The cross-pole
- Two crossed poles: their low point, in the middle, invites the horse to jump in the centre.
- The flags
- They show which way to jump: red on the right, white on the left.
Remember
If you see the red flag on your left, you are coming at it the wrong way.
Jumping at trot, then at canter
- Get into position earlyShorten your stirrups if your instructor asks. Get into a light seat from the turn before the straight line.
- Keep the paceA regular trot, then a regular canter: legs in contact if the horse slows down, fingers closing softly if it speeds up.
- Look aheadBeyond the fence, to the end of the track, never at the pole.
- Let it jumpYour hands, resting on the neck or holding a handful of mane, go forward with it. Stay in balance, joints supple, and let the horse come up to you.
- Ride onStay in a light seat for a few strides, carry on straight along the track, pick up the gait you were asked for and give your horse a pat.
Common mistake
Throwing yourself forward just before the fence while staring at the pole: the horse jumps… and you end up on its neck. Wait for the jump: it comes up to you.
Safety
Only jump when your instructor says so, one rider at a time, in the right direction. Never cut across a rider heading for a fence. If your horse refuses, move away from the others and wait for instructions.
A word from the instructor
From the saddle, a cross-pole always looks bigger than it does from the ground. Don’t worry: your horse sees it at its real size.