Learn to jump a combination: ride double and treble fences safely, with approach, rhythm, distances and rules, always with a trainer and helmet.
How hard is it to ride two fences in a row? The honest answer: harder than two single fences, because the second fence depends on the first. The FEI defines double, treble or higher combinations as a group of two or more obstacles with a distance of at least 7 and at most 12 metres between the elements. Distance is measured from the landing side of one obstacle to the take-off side of the next. Each element is jumped separately and consecutively, without circling around any of them [1].
Jumping carries real risks, and this applies especially to combinations on cross-country. In an analysis of FEI eventing competitions from 2008 to 2018 the risk of falls was higher at later elements of combined obstacles: the odds ratio was 1.33 for the second element and 1.21 for later elements [2]. The study concerns international cross-country, not riding-school work, but it shows: the second fence is harder than it looks.
What a rider really changes is shown by a measurement on eight show jumpers: the difference between a horse with and without a rider came mainly from changed horse movement resulting from the rider's instructions, not from the weight [3]. So your aids before the jump decide, not your load.
Begin with poles on the ground, then cavaletti or small crosses, always in a calm canter. The trainer builds the distances to suit your horse. How many canter strides fit between the elements depends on the horse and the set-up; the trainer sets that. Milestone: Your horse jumps two small elements in one calm rhythm.
Choose a straight approach in an even, calm canter. In a video analysis of 87 rider falls on cross-country, a higher approach speed was linked with riskier falls; the authors suggest a speed suited to correct striding and take-off [4]. Milestone: Your horse reaches the first element at the same tempo at which it was approached.
Stay upright, let the hand follow and do not pull up. On the approach rein tension rises but stays equal on both sides; riders hold the trunk more upright [5]. Milestone: The horse takes off evenly and lands in rhythm.
After landing the contact stays soft, your gaze goes to the next element. Jerky aids after landing disturb the horse. Milestone: Your horse reaches the second element without hurrying and without slowing down.
After the last element you ride straight out, take the tempo down and praise your horse. Milestone: Your horse stays calm and halts quietly.
Jumping never replaces supervised training: you jump combinations only with a trainer. A helmet protects against skull fracture and severe brain injuries; a vest rather protects the chest, and against spinal injuries it was not shown to work [6]. So do not rely on the vest. Falls are common: in the video analysis of 87 cross-country falls five factors together explained only about 38 % of the differences between falls [4]. So there is no single protective measure. Your horse should be fit, warmed up and healthy; tiredness, haste or repeated refusals are signs to stop. The FEI requires that horses are not trained with methods that are abusive or cause fear [7].
Count aloud "one, two, three" in canter rhythm on the approach and have your instructor check that your counting matches the rhythm. Your rhythm decides how the horse arrives at take-off. This is a training idea from practice; what is evidenced is only that your influence works through instructions [3] and that approach speed plays a role [4].
According to the FEI 7 to 12 metres, measured from the landing side of one obstacle to the take-off side of the next [1]. How many canter strides fit in between depends on the horse.
For open combinations you usually have to retake all elements; for closed or partially closed combinations special rules apply [8]. The jury decides that beforehand.
In international cross-country the risk of falls was higher at later elements of combined obstacles [2]. For school horses in a jumping arena there is no such figure; the risk can be lowered through set-up, trainer and helmet.
When you have secure single jumps, a stable seat and a calm horse and your trainer clears it. A time frame depends on the individual case.
No, the rhythm should stay. Your horse regulates the stretch between the elements through the length of its jumps, you keep tempo and line [3].
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