Training With The Best: Caroline Moore & Ros Canter
I don't know about you but I sometimes get as excited about lessons as I do about competing, especially when it's a bit of a treat and with someone really exciting.
This week was just that. Not quite a full AC team outing but myself and Jodie both headed off for a two-hour training session with none other than Caroline Moore and Ros Canter. Me riding my SuperCob aka. Woody and Jodie on her two lovely mares, Clover and Aqua.
It was a cold an blustery day but we both had great sessions which consisted of an hours XC technique training in the outdoor arena with Caroline, and another hour SJ training with Ros indoors.
As Woods and I entered the arena we had a quick brief which usually consists of the question "what has he/have you done", however instead Caroline presented the VERY interesting and useful question of "What do you want to get out of today?", and I wish more lessons started with this question. Actually, from now on I'm going to take charge and tell my instructor what I want to get out of each lesson.
After fantastic sessions all round we thought we would share a couple of our top takeaways from the day:
1. Rhythm. It's important.
Sarah: In both our XC and SJ sessions we worked on rhythm and keeping it consistent. I tend to slow Woody on the corners then we end up with a dramatic acceleration towards the jumps, whereas keeping the forward momentum and a consistent rhythm around the corners made for a much easier jump.
Jodie: Bridge your reins on a strong horse, like Clover, as it stops you being able to hook before the fence and she can only fight against herself then. Once she then realises this, the rhythm to the fence will be more consistent and she will stop rushing.
2. Sometimes less is more.
Sarah: I'm nervous about SJ, there's no point in denying it, therefore I tend to override it, which inevitably leads to problems. Ros encouraged me to physically count my rhythm out loud (1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2...) and once he was in the right rhythm just leave him alone, relax the reins and let him take care of the jump.
Jodie: Create a point before the fence, perhaps 5 strides out, where you don’t make any adjustment to the balance. Balance on landing and on the corners then slip your reins and let her poke her nose. That way she can see the fence and use herself more effectively. The jump is her responsibility. Stop doing too much to help her!
3. Stop looking at the fences.
Sarah: Especially the ones you are scared of. Ros explained to us that she finds big tables scary while walking the XC course, but instead of saying it out loud, because this makes it real, she will keep it to herself and instead choose a tree or pilon in the distance to focus on during the approach.
Jodie: Lift your eyes beyond the fence, and allow the stride to come. Even if you’re deep to the fence, you will be in a secure position with enough canter for the horse to use its body.
4. Do your homework AFTER the exercise.
Sarah: I, like so many, am so guilty of jumping the last fence on a grid, dropping my reins and going "GOOD BOY" with a big pat. However, Caroline encouraged us to continue for 60 seconds after with some leg yielding, changes of pace and transitions to ensure they don't learn to drop their attention after combinations.
Jodie: Keep your hands low and into your body, with your bum tucked underneath you and a strong core!
Finally, not quite a takeaway but I was VERY chuffed when Caroline asked what AC stood for because she had seen it EVERYWHERE since arriving in Scotland! She also nicknamed Woody "Billy Big Balls" because of his cocky, "I don't need you anymore, mum" attitude, which I found hilarious.
We would both highly recommend booking a lesson if you have the opportunity. It was a fantastic day of pre-season prep for us ahead of the start of the Scottish BE season in just over three weeks which is where Sarah and Woody will start, whereas Jodie, Clover and Aqua have an exciting weekend lined up at Lincon.
Sarah and Jodie x
