From his monthly Practical Horseman column, since 2006 a must-read for thousands of fans, international eventer and coach Jim Wofford has compiled this closeup of the training principles that put first him -- and then his students -- on the Olympic podium. If you're an amateur just getting into the sport, Jim's insights (often enhanced by his trademark irreverent humor) will also give you the tools to do it right.
With input from Jim, aided by instructional photos and diagrams, get ready to:
--Choose the horse and equipment you need to enjoy eventing from the beginning
--Put yourself and your horse on a program that gets you both fit enough to enjoy the sport
--Get out of the ring for safe cross-country schooling over natural obstacles
--Develop the most effective position for each phase of eventing
--Gallop (that s right, gallop!) and jump safely at speed
--Train confidently at home on your own
--Condition correctly to compete in a Classic-format
Also included is the Modern Gymnastic DVD covering the systematic training for jumping horses.
This clear, full-color edition of the original classic provides riders three-time Olympian and five-time US National Champion Jim Wofford's proven system for teaching horses to jump and for improving any jumping horse’s performance. A regimen of Wofford’s gymnastic exercises will improve your and your horse' - Balance - Technique - Flexibility - Confidence - Fitness Wofford explains how horses that are taught to jump using a gymnastic system soon become confident and efficient over fences. He carefully details how to train young horses using gymnastics—clearly illustrating how to set up each grid. He also provides a systematic sequence explaining which gymnastic to use when, depending on the horse’s level of training and the rider’s focus, whether cross-country or show jumping. In addition, specific exercises are given to help correct existing bad jumping habits in horses such as refusals, run-outs, or improper striding. Whether you are just learning to jump or you are a seasoned expert, Wofford provides ample exercises for setting up your horse to succeed over fences.
