How Top Trainers Prepare Students for the Big Equitation Classes

As the fall quickly approaches, so do the big equitation championships. These classes-- like the Maclay, Medal Finals, and several others on both national and state-specific stages-- test riders with challenging courses and tests.

To prepare students, trainers must present these tests to their students at home and teach them how to succeed in high-pressure competition. This preparation includes jumping equitation-specific jumps, practicing stride adjustment and so much more.

Top-trainers, Stacia Madden, Berry Porter and Missy Clark-- who have all led countless riders to big equitation championship wins-- give Dalman Jump Co an inside look at their schooling courses and how they use them to help students win championships:

Stacia Madden: Beacon Hill Show Stables

Stacia prepares students with challenging courses and unique jumps while also not over-doing it so the horses and riders have enough energy to compete.

What Stacia Madden does to prepare:

• Have an eye-catching first jump that keeps horses and riders engaged from the start. This teaches the rider to be on and prepared from the start (not using the first jump as a 'gimme'). Jump examples include a wall like DJC's Fernalicious or Lavender Fields.
• Has the rider navigate over a jump without standards to make sure they are steering right to the center of the jump.
• Gives rider an ambitious first line, making sure they are prepared to go forward and manage their horse's stride from the start.
• Includes an 'S' shaped line in the course that includes a Swedish oxer to further practice staying in the middle of the jumps and holding the correct stride.
• Practice a counter canter and hold it without swapping. This is a common test in many equitation classes.

Berry Porter: Brookside Pine Farms

When it comes to designing a course and schooling a course at home, Berry Porter's philosophy is that he wants horse and rider to have seen everything before they even go to the show. He keeps a diversified course to make sure the horses stay interested, even at home. 

Here's what else Berry Porter does to prepare:

• Always starts the course with a gymnastics line that is set on the outside end of the ring and has differently distanced lines. This makes the horses think and the riders be fully on from the start.
• Includes several skinny jumps without standards to encourage riders to use both legs and hands properly while steering to a jump.
• Have a line that can be two different strides (long or short) so he can give riders the option and instruction to practicing shortening and lengthening. 

And even more exercises and tips to prepare for the equitation classes, from top trainers!

Missy Clark: North Run 

Kelli Cruciotti-VanderVeen