IEA Equitation Over Fences--Tips for Improving Your Performance

First off, thank you to everyone for the positive response to last week's post, Equitation on the Flat--Tips for Improving Your Performance.  I decided to follow up this week with a post about fence classes.  Here are fifteen tips for improving your performance in IEA Equitation Over Fences:

Your Warm-Up Fences

The IEA format allows riders to jump two practice fences before executing their course. You can learn a lot about the horse you are riding during the warm up.

1.  Use your two warm up fences to figure out your horse.  Does he lag behind your leg or pull you to the fences?  Does he have a flat or round jump?  Does he have an abnormally long or short stride?  Does he have a simple or flying change? 

2.  Use your two warm up fences to determine if your horse needs a spur or crop.  If the horse description sheet indicates that a spur and/or crop is optional, I recommend going into the warm up with the spur and/or crop.  You can always remove the spurs or drop the crop before going into the show ring if you determine from your warm up that you don't need them. 

3.  Use your two warm up fences to practice any special tests required in the course, such as a halt or trot fence.  If the course requires a halt, I recommend performing a halt after jump one, then picking up the canter again for fence two.  If the course has a trot fence I recommend cantering the first warm up fence, then transitioning to a trot for the second warm up fence in order to determine the horse's willingness to break to a trot from a canter after a jump.

Your Equitation Over Fences Round

Once your two warm up fences are complete, its time to head into the show ring for your fence round.

4.  Have a plan for the beginning of your course.  Are you going to do an opening circle or head straight to fence one?   Are you going to do posting trot then canter; sitting trot then canter; or go directly from the walk to the canter?  All of these are permissible in IEA shows.

5.  Have a plan for the end of your course.  Are you going to do a closing circle or head directly to the gate and walk out?  Are you going to transition down from the canter to a posting trot, sitting trot, or directly to the walk?

6.  Enter and exit the arena at a walk.  Entering or exiting at a gait other than the walk can be cause for elimination in IEA shows.

7.  Make note of any special ring instructions and make sure you follow them.  For example, a dotted line may be drawn on the posted course diagram delineating the area for your opening circle.  Crossing the dotted line while doing your opening circle is cause for elimination.  Also, the course may instruct riders not to do an opening and/or closing circle. Not following these instructions may result in a major penalty from the judge.

8.  Enter the ring ready to win.  Be ready at the gate with your game face on.  Have your feet situated correctly in the stirrups and your reins organized.  As soon as the ring person opens the gate, walk in with purpose and begin your course.  Judges don't like to be kept waiting.

9.  Don't cut your corners.  Use the whole arena and make square turns to the fences.  One of my trainers used to say, "you're paying for the whole arena, you might as well use it..."

10.  Do the striding that is appropriate for the horse/pony you a riding.  If you drew a 17 hand warmblood with a huge stride, it may be appropriate to go for the horse show step.  If you are riding a 15 hand quarter horse with a short stride, the add may be the better choice. Also, be consistent.  If you start with the horse show step, maintain the horse show step throughout your course.  The same with the add step.

11.  Establish a nice, forward rhythm right from the start and maintain it throughout your course.  I find that if you concentrate on keeping a forward, consistent rhythm, the jumps will come up nicely.

12.  Get your leads in the corners, whether simple or flying.  Simple changes are not penalized in IEA competition.  If the horse description sheet says the horse has a flying change, give him one chance.  If you don't get it, or you only get the front, perform a simple change to get on the correct lead.  Always try to get your new lead before you reach the corner.

13.  If you have a refusal, take a moment to catch your breath and gather your composure, then circle back around and try again.  Don't get in a hurry.  Take your time to set up an organized approach.   

14.  Even if you make a major error or feel that you had a bad round, exit the arena with your head held high and a pleasant expression on your face.  Never show disappointment or frustration while in the show ring.

15.  Most importantly, do the best you can with what you are given.  IEA competition is about showing the horse you are riding to the best of his and your ability.   The judges want to see you create the best possible ride on whichever horse you drew.

If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to like and share on facebook.  --Amanda

IEA Rider Amelia Stone, photo credit Kensie Arnold