How to become a good cross country rider with Lucinda Green

 

 

Six-time badminton champion Lucinda Green says there are 5 key areas to master to become a successful event rider… 

 

1.) An effective cross country rider has 3 main objectives. Remember them with this acronym that Lucinda invented – ELBOW 

 

E – engine

L – line

B – balance

OW – if you forget one of the above

 

“Approximately 50 meters out from a fence I focus on getting my horse in balance and adjusting his speed. I need to put the horse in ‘the tube’ of concentration and really make sure his eyes are focused on the jump. If I’ve done my three jobs correctly, it should be easy for the horse to jump the fence”.

 

 

“The tube refers to the connection between your hands, seat and legs to the horse. Think of it as a cuddle, not a severe squeeze. When you are in the tube, you and your horses eyes are focused on the jump, you are in that ‘tube’ of concentration and beaming in.”

 

 

Focus: 

 

Focus is one of the moment important aspects of rider and horse on cross country. To focus a horse on the fence the rider needs to use their eyes, hands and legs to support and encourage him. 

 

“A lot of riders don’t think eyes, but they are so important. If you eyes are not focused on the fence, how do you expect your horses eyes to be focused on the fence. I find it helps to imagine there is an invisible wire linking my horse’s eyes to my calves so that we’re focusing together”.

 

 

Having a horse that is quick off it’s feet is essential in cross country because things can go pear-shaped very quickly. A horse that can think for itself and get itself out of a sticky situation is much more likely to keep both himself and his rider safe. 

 

“If a horse has agile footwork in front of a fence, he is much less likely to fall. It’s good for horses to have to think for themselves,” adds Lucinda.

 

 

At the end of the day, what makes a good cross country horse is a horse that is enjoying himself. A horse that likes his job is much more likely to produce a good round and that is fun for the rider. 

 

“It’s not fun if a horse doesn’t want to jump a fence and you have to ask yourself why — does he lack confidence or is he naughty? And you need to work of this and help him gain confidence.”

 

 

 

 “On the one hand the horse has to listen to you but on the other end he also has think for himself. Let them practise thinking for themselves and problem solving in training. Then they will be able to do it in a heartbeat in a competition, and thereby save your neck.”

 

 

“Think of your horse as a see-saw.’If you sit on one end (ie on your saddle, leaning back if needed) the other end of the see-saw (ie the horse’s front end) will come up. Your job is not to leave your end of the see-saw so that your horse can continue to use his front end and snap it out of the way of the fence.”

 

“You have to feel what is happening – thinking can block feeling. In front of a fence a horse will do one of two things ie show his intention (to jump or not) or ask a question.”

 

‘You need to feel which one it is and react. It’s your legs that do the feeling and reacting. By the time everything has reached your brain it’s too late. 

 

‘You also have to be ready for your horse to tell you a little lie as he may say he’s going to jump but then at the last second say No, perhaps because he can’t see a landing side eg if you are tackling a log on top of a hill. So you always need to be there, feeling and reacting so you are clearly telling your horse what you want him to do.”