Avery's tips
The dashing Tom Avery is head instructor at Chevalier Point. Avery rode for the New Zealand team, before his career ended when he broke his hip at the Badminton Horse Trials (his horse, The Soothsayer, had a bad fall, landing on top of him at the Vicarage Vee). Here, Avery gives his top tips for young riders on the cross country course.
1. Walk the course at least once - but twice is ideal. Go around the first time with your instructor who can advise you on the best line to take. Then go around a second time and think about what approach will suit your horse best.
2. Don’t take the first fence for granted. Even if it is just an easy bunny hop. Sometimes riders are so distracted by starting that they forget to ride hard at the first fence and get a refusal and twenty faults as a result!
3. If your horse is galloping with a regular, steady stride between fences he will be able to conserve energy on the cross-counry. Don’t forget, you still have the showjumping phase to come!
4. If your horse seems spooked by a fence, don’t charge at it. You’ll just end up falling off when he suddenly stops! The best thing to do is slow down and give the horse a chance to look and gain confidence. You’ll be surprised at how easily your horse will pop over any obstacle at a steady, collected trot!
5. Remember to cool your horse down properly when you’ve finished the course. Put a warm workout rug on him and walk him around to cool him down.
