Encouraging Straightness: Gymnastic Jumping Exercises with International Showjumper Joe Fernyhough
We caught up with International Showjumper Joe Fernyhough for an insight into his training system and methods. As a coach and producer of quality showjumping horses, gymnastic jumping exercises are Joe’s go-to for all of the horses at his training facility in Gloucestershire UK - from those competing at 3* Grand Prix level, down to his homebred youngstock.
Joe believes in a clear and simple approach when training horses to give them the best chance of producing a correct answer, and building their confidence at every level. In showjumping you need to be able to do four things: whoa, go, left and right. “It sounds very simple, but you need to be able to do those things very well, and do it in balance with the pole or the fence in the right place,” Joe explains.
Below, Joe has shared two of his favourite gymnastic jumping exercises with us. Both of these can be tailored to any horse at any level, whether you’ve just started to introduce polework to your horse or they’re already competing at top level.
Exercise 2: Encouraging Straightness
In Exercise 1, Joe focused on developing suppleness, whilst this second exercise is a beneficial warm-up before riding a course or more technical lines. It encourages the horse to stay straight and relaxed, and focus on what’s in front of them whilst moving through the body.
The first section uses a bounce element to help create lift, and shape in the jumping frame. For the diagonal exercise, the focus should be on straightness and maintaining a level rhythm.
Setting Up
You will need one ground pole, two cross pole fences, two vertical fences, and an oxer for this exercise. Use the diagram above to help you lay out the exercise, ensuring that there is a straight exit from the final fence on the diagonal. You can use two poles on the landing (as shown) to create a gateway that will encourage straightness.
How to Ride It
Approach the first pole from either rein, maintaining a straight and balanced canter.
Ride four open strides or five more collected strides to the first bounce fence.
Jump the bounce fences, softening the hands to encourage the horse to drop its neck and lift from the core, then track left after the third fence.
Approach fence 4, from the left rein in a more connected but active canter.
Ride 4-5 strides to a slightly ascending double oxer (setting the back pole slightly higher than the front) allowing the horse to judge the take off point and stretch over their back in the air.
Proceed after landing with one stride to a vertical, focusing on shifting the horse’s balance from the front end back to the hind end and allowing them to push from behind over the fence.
Focus on a straight landing and exit, riding away positively from the exercise.
Key Focus Areas
Power: Oxers are great for building strength behind and will encourage your horse to stretch up and over the front and back poles.
Straightness: The straight lines and guiding poles after the final vertical help to keep the horse straight throughout.
Adjustability: Using a variety of different fences at varying distances teaches the horse to regulate speed and impulsion, and encourages independence as they work out where to put their feet.
EXTRA TIP
Keep fence 4 (the first fence of the diagonal line) relatively small so that it allows you to focus on keeping a nice rhythm to set your horse up for the oxer. Counting the strides and staying relaxed in your lower back will help prevent your horse from speeding up unnecessarily.
Bottom Line
As with all other schooling sessions, the aim of these exercises is to build confidence by starting small and slow, and gradually building them while they stay comfortable and positive about the experience. The great thing about gymnastic exercises is that the fences don’t need to be huge to have the desired outcome, and they allow you to fine-tune your horse’s jumping technique while you focus on your position and aids.
About Joe Fernyhough
Joe Fernyhough is based at Calcourt Equestrian, a family-run stud and showjumping facility, specialising in the breeding and production of quality horses, from all-rounders to Olympic prospects. The team is fronted by Joe’s parents, Rowland and Ali Fernyhough, and all three are qualified coaches and passionate about bringing out the best in any partnership. Some noteworthy results of Joe’s career so far include National U25 Champion in 2021 and jumping double clear on the Nations Cup team in Gorla Minore. He continues to successfully produce and compete his string of talented horses, ranging from those competing at 3* Grand Prix level, down to Calcourt’s carefully bred youngstock. For more information about Calcourt Equestrian, visit here.
Want to revisit Exercise 1? Head this way:
