All horses and ponies have some aptitude for jumping, but it is up to the rider to develop the natural talent that a horse may possess in order for it to realize its full potential. One of the most effective ways of doing this is through using gridwork, a logical system of trianing that increases the horse's confidence, encourages the development of msculature, and improves the horse's accuracy, agility and technique. It can be adapted to suit the individual needs of any horse and can be introduced at any stage of its jumping career. The benefits of gridwork are beyond dispute, but too often it is the subject of misunderstanding and, consequently, abuse, which can lead to the onset of problems rather than to the resolution of them.
In Successful Jumping, gridwork is demystified and explained in a way that will enable anyone to develop a safe and effective training programme. There is practical instruction and advice on preparatory work, choosing, equipment, building fences, calculating distances, and developing gridwork exercises; there is also an invaluable trouble-shooting chapter, which aims to identify the causes of any prolems and suggest remedies. At every stage, from the basics to the more advanced, the reader is encouraged to consolidate progress and move forward in a step-by-step, logical fashion towards improved performance, ultimately, greater success.
Clearly written and profusely illsutrated with photographs and explanatory line-drawings, this book is the most up-to-date and comprehensive work on the subject of gridwork yet published.
Hardback.