Jumping exercise - Flexibility & Rhythm

Three jumping exercises based on one combination

This is an exercise you can ride in three different ways using a combination as a starting point. The purpose is to train rhythm, flexibility, and strength. The three variations of the exercise are divided into different levels of difficulty to suit different types of horses and riders.

Part 1 – Jumping with collecting circles

This jumping exercise is designed to enhance the horse’s flexibility and strength while refining the rider’s rhythm and balance. Peder Fredricson, founder of Bhoof, uses this exercise to develop the horse’s suppleness and power by controlling the horse’s shoulders over the jump and collected through the small circles. The exercise can be adapted to three different levels, making it suitable for horses and riders on different levels. Always start with the easiest level and increase the degree of difficulty continuously.

Course plan

Levels:

Easy
Ride the one big circle over the fence. Repeat in both directions.

Medium
Ride a big circle followed by a small, collecting circle. Repeat in both directions.

Hard

Ride the big circle followed by the small, collecting circle. Ride a diagonal with transition and repeat the exercise in the other direction.

Part 2 – Jumping diagonal

This jumping exercise focuses on practicing diagonal jumps over fences. It’s an excellent way to introduce young horses to diagonal jumping and is particularly useful for preparing for jump-offs. The exercise helps you work on keeping the horse straight during diagonal jumps while also collecting the horse after the jump and turning in a good rhythm.
Peder recommends riding only on the B fence in a combination when practicing diagonal jumps. This approach prevents the horse from developing the habit of drifting out of combinations.

Course plan

Levels:

Easy
Jump the B fence in the combination diagonally and turn back around the cones to repeat in the other direction.

Medium
Jump the B fence in the combination diagonally and turn back inside the cones to repeat in the other direction.

Hard
Jump the B fence in the combination diagonally and turn back inside the cones and count your strides to ensure you have the same number of strides in each direction. This is the level Peder is practicing in the video.

Part 3 – Jumping Combination

This jumping exercise is great for practicing combination with rhythm and balance and can be adapted to different levels.

Course plan

Levels:

Easy
Jump the combination in both directions. Maintain a steady rhythm before, during, and after the fences.

Medium
Jump the combination and add circles after the jumps. Collect the canter by the cones before entering the circle.

Hard
Jump the combination and enter the circle in a collected canter. Perform a forward extension in the canter after half the circle. Turn back and jump the combination again from the opposite direction at a more forward pace but still on the hindlegs. Collect the canter by the cones and finish with the circles in the same manner in this direction. This is the level Peder is practicing in the video.