Chapter - 01

The Approach

The approach can be taken as the total length of track taken by the horse during a round, with the exception of the distance covered from the time the forelegs leave the ground till the hind legs land the far side of the fence. Patently, then, it is the most important phase, and determines entirely the very necessary requisite of clearing the fence. The rider's objective, dependent upon training on the flat, is precision at the speed applicable to the event, which is coincidental with the approach phase. The ideal approach is unhurried, calm, smooth, and fluent.* It should, above all, be happy and confident.

Considerations governing it cover a wide range. The line of approach is determined by the rider during his inspection of the course on foot, entailing supple and accurate changes of direction. At the point where the change of direction ends, the straight portion of the approach commences, its length being decided by the type of fence to be jumped. Here obedience to hand and leg enables the rider to shorten or lengthen stride to bring the forefeet to the most suitable spot for the take-off. Throughout, the maintenance of a fluid balance is of paramount importance. Always on the bit, with a low, constant, and slightly over-bent head carriage, the horse should be compressed toward his center, with the result that his hocks can engage beneath him, and his back can be rounded, affording him maximum power. The harnessing of the horse's energy, or impulsion, which is closely allied to collection, will provide the rider with a reserve force to cope with difficult situations or correct temporary shortcomings. It is only too apparent that training on the flat is the bed-rock of the ideal approach.

The rider's attitude should be arranged so that he can give his indications clearly and quietly, maintain balance at all times, and generally ride the course according to plan. He must take care not to overweight the loins, and, by intelligent anticipation, control the situation with lightness and sympathy of hand and leg.

*It should be full of life, showing zest and rhythmic co-ordination.

PLATE 1

The fence is of a spread variety. One of the governing principles of stride control is to bring the take-off close to the first element of a spread jump,

in order to minimize the over-all distance to be cleared. This has been successfully arranged. The forelegs are leaving the ground for the take-off, whilst the hind are still sweeping forward and past them to produce propulsion into the air. Great use is being made of the back, loins, and hocks. The head and neck are nicely placed and have ample freedom. The rider's seat-bones are leaving the saddle, having done their work in maintaining balance and impulsion. His hands, if perhaps a little high, are keeping an even feeling on the horse's mouth, and his attention is centered forward for the next approach. He is, in general, alert but relaxed, and the whole picture shows rhythm and purpose.

PLATE 2

Here the fence in question is an upright one. The most suitable spot for the take-off can, as a guide, be taken to be the height of the fence away from it. A bold horse, such as this one, can conveniently jump from a greater distance away. The stride arrangements have therefore gone according to plan, and the horse has arrived at the take-off in a high state of balance with plenty of impulsion. Great power is shown behind the saddle, and the hocks are engaging. The rider is comfortable, and his weight is distributed to give maximum assistance. The toe has, however, dropped a little, pushing the knee up, and, if the hands were lower, an even feeling on the mouth would be more certain. Definitely a happy and confident approach.

PLATE 1

PLATE 2

PLATE 3

The horse's muscular quarters are most certainly collecting beneath him, and his hocks are engaging. The stride appears right for the type of fence, and the head and neck are suitably placed. Although the rider seems to be functioning ably, and to be producing results, there is something not entirely satisfactory about his attitude. The impression is that, were difficulties to arise now, he would not be able to cope with them. This perhaps is caused by the lower leg being drawn too far back, often resulting, partly physically and partly psychologically, in a sudden feeling of incapacity of action.

PLATE 4

The ultimate stride before take-off at the same fence. The horse's hind legs are moving forward for the last time, but, owing to the head being a little high, they may not come far enough forward to produce maximum power. The rider shows concentration and a nice sense of balance, but the body is perhaps inclined a little far forward at this stage.

PLATE 3

PLATE 4

PLATES 5 & 6

There is no doubt that control of stride is essential for the successful negotiation of a succession of formidable obstacles. In order to achieve this control, the rider must be capable of maintaining balance and impulsion, and he must have implicit obedience to hand and leg. If the horse's head carriage is low, constant, and slightly over-bent, if his back is rounded and his hocks are engaging beneath him, he is situated so that it is reasonably easy for him to shorten or lengthen stride when asked to do so. During the shortening process the horse should be compressed like a spring towards his center, the rounding of his back being accentuated. The pace should be maintained by a quickening of the hoof beats, and the head should remain low and steady. If the horse evades the rider's hand by throwing up his head, his neck becomes rigid and his back hollowed. This prevents him physically from obeying the leg, the hocks are left behind and pace and momentum decrease. It follows, therefore, that if this occurs when near the fence, it is going to be difficult for the horse to make a good jump.

These two photographs show such an evasion taking place, and draw attention to the awkward situation in which the rider finds himself.

PLATE 5

PLATE 6

PLATE 7

The horse's back is rounded and his hocks are moving well under him. His outlook is keen but calm, and he is enjoying his jumping. Ethically, the rider is very correct. There seems, however, to be something missing. Concentration perhaps, and the incentive for victory? It is difficult to define, but she does not appear quite real, or at home on the horse.

PLATE 8

The words unhurried and smooth are not exemplified in this picture. The horse's head is high, with the standing martingale taking considerable strain. This implies very clearly that time spent working on the flat to improve balance, obedience, and suppleness is needed before a good approach can be achieved. The rider would be well advised to use a different saddle, as the shape of this one forces his center of gravity too far back.

PLATE 7

PLATE 8

PLATE 9

One more stride before the take-off, and the arrangements during the approach have worked according to plan. Balance and impulsion are there, and a satisfactory jump should follow. The rider's back is a little constricted, due perhaps to a slight rigidity in the muscles of the knee. The whole picture is, however, workmanlike, and should produce good results.

PLATE 10

The horse shows apprehension, and is losing pace and momentum as the stride is shortened. This would be fatal were the fence to be a large spread. The probability is that he has not been evenly on the bit during the approach as a result of an absence of real free forward movement. The

rider is adopting a somewhat crouching attitude, making constructive leg

action difficult.

PLATE 9

PLATE 10

PLATE 11

Balanced, with impulsion in plenty, the horse is showing clearly his enthusiasm. A slight disobedience to the hand is bringing his nose up and out a little, which may derive from a certain rigidity in the rider's back, and so through to his hand. A shorter stirrup, making the knee act more as a buffer, would help to lighten the hand. The general impression is one of life and courage.

PLATE 12

"It should, above all, be happy and confident." Regrettably this does not seem to apply. There is growing loss of co-ordination, and it is doubtful if either horse or rider is sure of what the other will do next. This may be due to the fact that by having a very short rein, and by pushing the seat back in an effort to drive, the rider has a straight arm, and so has lost lightness of touch and a certain amount of control. The horse does not trust him.

PLATE 11

PLATE 12

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