it's all about the canter

Hey everyone! Come join Pablo and me as we hit the Waverley Park Equine training day to sharpen our course riding skills.
Today’s session is part of a bigger plan-getting both Pablo and me more comfortable with different courses over the next few months. The main focus? Nailing that quality canter. with that, I’m talking consistent pace through the turns, staying straight on the approach and landing, and keeping my leg on, eyes up, with soft, allowing hands.
The goal with Pablo was to boost his “rideability.” That means, setting up the approach by checking in and connecting with him, and getting him in front of my leg, light in my hand, flexible in his body, and responsive-without tipping into being too sensitive.
There was plenty to like and a good amount to work on. Controlling my unruly right hand was a win, and Pablo was super keen to jump. I could feel he was really enjoying himself, powering over the fences with more confidence and poise. In the face of the wins, there still is the tricky bit? Getting over my own mental block when it comes to a more forward canter. I’ve got some mindset work to do, accepting that the canter has to be bigger if I want Pablo to really travel to the jumps and especially so as we move up in heights.
When I let Pablo find his rhythm and let him jump with the “right” canter and energy, everything just clicked better.
And that’s that! jumping is all about that canter and setting up approach.