In September, Maya Delorez hosted a masterclass at Horse Event in the Netherlands, led by MD athletes Mans Thijssen and Anastasia Bondarieva. Ahead of the event, we invited our Instagram community to submit their questions about jump-offs – the main focus of the session.

Read on to discover their pro tips for mastering the jump-off.

How do you prepare your horse right before entering the jump-off?

Anastasia:
– I try to keep very focused, no messing around. I keep my mind collected, and keep the horse in front of the leg to make sure they’re ready for a good start. I always check that the horse listens to my aids, forward and backward.

Mans:
– In the warm-up before the jump-off, I always check that the horse is in front of my leg and follows my aids. I make some tight turns, go forward / backward, so that they know what to do and don’t get surprised in the ring. You both must know what to do.

What are the most important factors for riding a successful jump-off?

Mans:
– For me, the most important factor when riding a jump-off is to have a solid plan. It’s also important to know what your horse is capable of and choose the right class. And of course, to not put the horse at risk just to win the class. 

Anastasia:
– I always tell myself, “quick pace, calm mind.” You’ve got to go fast but stay cool. Push yourself, but only to the point where you can still stay in control. And of course, tight turns are a key factor. When setting up the speed, it gets harder to make good turns. 

“I always tell myself, ‘quick pace, calm mind’.”

– Anastasia Bondarieva

What are the most common mistakes riders make in a jump-off?

Anastasia:
– For me, emotions can sometimes get in the way. If I see someone before me ride the jump-off very fast, I think, “I’ve got to go quicker!” The problem is that you can get too eager. You need to stay cool and collected.

Mans:
– I agree with Anastasia. I believe overconfidence and trying too hard usually backfire.

My horse gets strong when picking up speed in a jump-off — do you have any tips for managing that?

Mans:
– Try not to look too much for control in the jump-off. Use the turns to help you slow the horse down. Take one good rhythm and try to maintain it throughout the entire jump off.

What’s your best advice for improving jump-off skills when training at home?

Anastasia:
– Practice extending and shortening your horse’s stride and gradually push your limits. Since jump-offs are about going fast without losing connection with your horse, it’s super important to work on communication.

If you could give just one tip to someone wanting to improve their jump-offs, what would it be?

Anastasia:

– Practice your turns at home – it’s about getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. You won’t always see the distance early, but trust that it will be there in the end.