Walking the course: how to save time and faults

Start at the start line, not at fence 1

Many riders head straight for the first fence as soon as the course opens. The smarter move is to look at the big picture first: where is the start line, where is the finish, and what is the overall flow of the course? Sketch in your mind the large S- or U-shape the designer has created. This immediately shows you which side of the ring is used most and where your horse needs to exit after the round. Make a mental note — or log it in the EquiSight agenda as preparation — of the three or four moments where you expect the course to be decided.

Counting strides: why it always pays off

Between combination fences and doubles, the strides are crucial. The standard distance in a double is two jumps with one or two canter strides between them. Always walk the distance yourself: one of your steps is on average 80 centimetres. In a normal double with one stride you expect 7 to 7.5 metres between the fences. If the distance measures 6.5 metres, you need to collect your horse more at the entry. At 8 metres you ride a little more forward. Details like these determine whether you keep your horse in balance or catch him by surprise.

The five questions you ask at every fence

• Where is the ideal approach line — straight, out of a turn, or on an angle?
• What is the nature of the fence: rail, oxer, water jump, or wall?
• Is there a related line to the next fence, and how many strides?
• Where are the collection points after a wide oxer or a fast combination?
• Which lead is your horse stronger on, and do you consciously choose the shortest turn or the wider approach?

Speed rounds: gaining seconds without risk

In a jump-off or a speed class, everything comes down to smart lines, not speed alone. Taking a 90-degree turn tighter can easily save 2 to 3 seconds per turn. However, be careful: too tight a turn produces a poor approach and increases the risk of a fault. During your course walk, look for the turns you can cut without compromising the approach. These are typically the turns after a wide oxer, where your horse is already in canter and bends easily. Walk those lines twice so that you ride them automatically in the ring.

Recognising difficult line combinations

Course designers deliberately place difficult lines to test riders. Classic tricks include a wide oxer immediately followed by a narrow wall on a tight angle, or a fast downhill line to water. When you recognise such a combination, ask yourself: do I ride this like any other fence, or do I adjust my pace? After a wide spread to a narrow wall it is almost always wise to deliberately shorten after the oxer — even if it costs half a second. Use your horse's profile in EquiSight to record how your horse reacts to narrow or brightly coloured fences; this helps you make the right decision more quickly.

Visualise the course before you ride

After walking the course you return to the stable or to your horse. This is the moment to ride the course in your head — literally close your eyes and go through the entire route again. Picture how you approach each fence, where you correct your hand, how the landing feels after an oxer. Top athletes such as Harrie Smolders say that mental preparation is at least as important as the physical warm-up. If you have EquiCoach set up for competition support, you can add notes directly after your round about what went differently from your visualisation — valuable data for your next start.

After the round: learn from your own choices

• Note which line turned out differently from what you planned, and why.
• Compare your time with the fastest clear round: where did you lose seconds?
• Check whether the combination distances matched your stride count or whether your horse adjusted.
• Watch video footage if available, even from a phone held alongside the ring.
• Save your findings in the horse profile so you can consult them at your next competition.