Geoff Billington’s no-frills showjumping need for speed

The secret to a seamless jump-off is simple – practice. The only reason top riders are a cut above the rest is because they do it week in, week out. But even then, it’s easy to tell who has and hasn’t been doing their homework.

The lesson here is to take the time to perfect your jump-off skills at home. It’s no good going clear in competition and then just winging it against the clock. People often say riding a horse is like riding a bike and I agree – with a caveat. You never forget how to ride a bike, but if you’ve got to ride a bike along a tightrope, then it’s well worth your time putting in the practice.

Warm up exercise:

Lead changes

Last month we used the long line of poles to perform leg-yield steps in the gaps, which is worth coming back to as a useful suppling exercise. This time, we’re going to look at how it can be used to cement rhythm, introduce meeting fences on an angle and perfect lead changes…

1. Pick up canter and circle around to the first pole. You should be meeting the pole on roughly a 45° angle.
2. As your horse takes off, turn your head in the new direction and ask for the new canter lead with your leg aids. This will help shift your weight and help your horse understand that he needs to change legs.
3. Ride a curve to the next pole but one, ensuring your horse’s head is looking in the correct direction and your outside leg and rein contact are preventing him from falling out. If he doesn’t feel like he’s taking the outside rein forward, ensure he’s flexed slightly to the inside so you can see his inside eyelash and push him into the outside rein with your inside leg.
4. Repeat step two, circle around the end pole and ride through the line again.

Top Tip

It never hurts to ask your horse to stay on the same lead every so often to ensure he’s really listening.

Find even more great exercises from Geoff Billington by picking up a copy of November Horse&Rider, on sale 9 September 2021