A Figure-Eight Exercise for Smooth Jumping Rounds

Hunter/jumper trainer and judge Holly Hugo-Vidal shares a figure-eight jumping exercise to develop a rider's independent aids.

Maintaining a strong position while coordinating your aids may sound simple, but this is challenging for many riders to master. This is a simple exercise, but all the things you’ll focus on are the same tools you need for seamless jumping rounds. You’ll work on maintaining a forward rhythm and pace, staying on the track and influencing the lead—all while trying to keep your aids invisible.

Start the Exercise on the Flat

First, you’ll ride a figure-eight pattern on the flat. Then you can add a pole in the middle of the figure eight. You’ll first work over the pole on a circle and if that’s easy, you can add the full figure-eight pattern with a pole or jump in the middle (see diagram, above).