Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter Archives

"seeing my spot" cross-country

From: Dan

Dear Horse-Sense, I am in my second year of eventing and have just moved up to Training level. It's working out pretty well for me and my horse, and my trainer is happy with us, but I am worried about something. I've always had a problem "seeing my spot" to a jump, and this really worries me on cross-country. I would like to go Prelim some day, but I already worry about the cross country jumps at Training, because they are bigger and more dangerous to hit if we come into them wrong. My instructor keeps saying that I'll learn to see my spot, but it still hasn't happened. Also, a related worry is what I should do when I really misjudge a fence and my horse takes off before I am "with" him! What can I do to keep my horse (and me) safe on cross-country?

Dan

Hi Dan! This is a very common problem, and there are several ways to approach it. One would be to have a talk with your instructor, explain just how much this worries you, and ask for some exercises that will help you learn to see your spot.

You must realize that "seeing a spot" is not so much a matter of SEEING anything, as it is a matter of feeling a rhythm and knowing your horse's stride. If you can develop an ability to feel when you need to push on a little and when you need to hold back a little, you'll be well on your way.

Not everyone goes around the cross-country course "seeing a spot" at every jump, but everyone who wants to take the trouble can do something that's just as useful. You can canter with a good rhythm between jumps, and then bring your horse into each jump straight, with good impulsion and balance, going energetically FORWARD. If you do this, your horse will be able to jump each obstacle well, even if he doesn't come in on the perfect stride. He'll be able to make any necessary adjustments and take you both over the fence safely.

If the worst happens and you feel the horse take off when you are not ready and not "with him", stay over his back, stretch your legs down, stretch your arms forward to slip him the reins, and look UP. If it's physically possible, your horse will get both of you over the obstacle -- once you've freed him to make the effort. If you try to make corrections and changes at or after takeoff, you may get yourself -- or your horse -- hurt.

Jessica

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