calibrating the canter

"Hey everyone! Today, we’re diving deep into another important aspects of show jumping: calibrating the canter and rhythm-and how we can use different leg aids to guide the horse when needed.
Pablo and I had a great session today working with Ben Netterfield, our performance and mindset coach, on getting his timing right to the jump.
One of the biggest takeaways from today was learning to trust the feeling-both for me and for Pablo. In those last few strides before the fence, it’s easy to second-guess what you’re feeling underneath you.
The key learnings from today’s session are:
1. Calibrate the canter. It’s not just about speed, it’s about the quality of the canter. Keep it balanced, rhythmic, and powerful.
2. Leg aids matter. Know when to use your supporting, sympathetic, and strong leg. Timing is everything, and the right leg aid can make or break your approach to a jump.
3. Trust the feeling. Don’t overthink those last few strides. Trust the rhythm, trust the work you’ve done, and let the horse carry you through.
Pablo and I still have work to do, but this session really helped us understand how much the canter and my leg aids influence our success over the jumps."