Peter Leone's Show Jumping Clinic: Success Strategies for Equestrian Competitors

by Kimberly S. Jaussi, Peter Leone

Overview

Sharing wisdom gained through decades of riding at the highest levels of competition, Olympic medalist Peter Leone shows you how to achieve jumping success. Covering the fundamental principles of jumping, this guide stresses solid riding mechanics and the importance of a respectful friendship between horse and rider. With focused exercises that are designed to improve both the physical skills and mental toughness required for equestrians of all levels, you’ll learn how to bring out the best in your horse and successfully reach your riding goals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781603427173
Publisher:	Storey Books
Publication date:	06/05/2012
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	426,244
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Kimberly S. Jaussi, PhD, is a rider, coach, leadership professor, and author.

Peter Leone was a member of the United States Equestrian Team, winning a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics. Winner of more than 50 Grand Prix competitions, including the 2010 Devon Grand Prix, Leone coaches professionals, amateurs, and juniors for the world's top show jumping, equitation, and hunter competitions.

Table of Contents

Foreword by George Morris
Introduction

Section One. The Fundamentals of Good Riding
Chapter One: Horse to Rider and Back Again
1. The Rider's Aids: The Buttons
2. Thinking about Position: Form and Function
3. Make Friends with Your Horse
4. The Importance of the Right Equipment

Chapter Two: The Biggest Keys
1. The Whole Horse: Mind and Body
2. Ride the Body
3. It's All in the Legs

Chapter Three: Focus on the Flat
1. Setting Goals
2. Contact: Tying It All Together
3. Transitions: Change It Up
4. You're Ready When: Picking the Right Time and Place

Chapter Four: The Art of the Ride
1. First Become a Good Mechanic
2. A Little More Salt? Or a Little More Sugar?
3. What a Feeling!

Section Two. Foundations over Fences
Chapter Five: Make a Commitment
1. Emotional Commitment Comes First
2. Closer Is Better, Almost Always
3. Make Each Jump Work
4. Ride the Ride You Know Is Right
5. Reset

Chapter Six: Jumping Gymnastics
1. Result: Perfect Position
2. Result: Balance and Timing
3. Result: Adjustability

Chapter Seven: Riding the Lines
1. Direct or Bending: Which Line Will You Ride?
2. Do the Math and See in the Moment
3. Ride the Body for the Best Track

Chapter Eight: The Building Blocks of Today's Courses
1. Isolate the Pieces and Take Them One at a Time
2. Identify the Prime Jumping Questions
3. Ride the Prime Jumping Questions

Section Three. Eyes on the Prize: Competing and Showing
Chapter Nine: Putting It All Together in the Ring
1. Practice, Practice, Practice, Then Trust Your Homework
2. Create Deja Vu Moments
3. Warm Up and Ace the Test

Chapter Ten: Seeking the Medal
1. Medals, Derbies, Classics, and More
2. Planning Your Show Year
3. The Nuances of a Winning Ride

Appendixes
Appendix 1: Test Your Eye
Appendix 2A: Olympic Medals in Show Jumping
Appendix 2B: Show Jumping World Championships
Appendix 2C: ASPCA Maclay Championship Finals
Appendix 3: Road to the Olympics
Appendix 4: Team Leone

Acknowledgments
Interior Photography Credits
Index

What People are Saying About This

Top International Rider Georgina Bloomberg

A must-read for anyone involved with riding or training horses, this book will remind seasoned riders of the basic fundamentals and teach less experienced riders the important lessons that are necessary for achieving success in this sport.

Double Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward

Presented in a thoughtful, detailed, and yet simple style, this book will improve your riding and horsemanship whether you are beginning your riding journey or trying to improve your current skill level.

Founder and Executive Director Intercollegiate Robert Cacchione

The art of teaching riding is about the process of doing things in an excellent way. Peter’s book symbolizes all that is best about equestrianism.

Top Equitation Trainer Missy Clark

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in taking their riding and horsemanship to the next level.

Editorial Reviews

Every decade or so a book comes along that is head-and-shoulders above other riding manuals: George's HUNTER SEAT EQUITATION and THE AMERICAN STYLE, Bill Steinkraus' RIDING AND JUMPING, ANNE KURSINSKI'S RIDING AND JUMPING, Anna-Jane White-Mullins' book on judging.

Your bookbelongs on the same shelf. Its strong points include the contemporary attitude of horse and rider as partners, something the previous generation of instructors didn't focus on. Another is the seamless blending of riding and sports psychology in a meld that reminds me of Tim Galloway's classic INNER GAME OF TENNIS with regard to setting goals and overcoming mental barriers.

Then too, the substantive contents are far more than justaclinic. It's really a lifetime's worth of instruction. Your target audience will refer to the book over and over as a refresher course about what they've learned both from the book and their own trainers. And it's user-friendly in the extreme. The graphics are clear and attractive, especially the drawings — the artist,Jean Abernathy,is this century's Sam Savitt.

Steven D. Price

Even though Olympic Silver Medalist Peter Leone’s latest volume focuses on the sport of Show Jumping, many young horse enthusiasts will be able to garner a good number of horsemanship elements applicable to nearly every horse sport—including harness racing. Peter Leone’s Show Jumping Clinic is absolutely best suited for the younger reader who is looking to improve both their horsemanship skills as well as their show jumpingtechniques. Leone stresses throughout his 224 pages of the importance of the relationship between horse andhis handler. A trusting bond is Leone’s formula for success both on the ground and in the show ring. As the Standardbred breed continues to expand and excell outside of racing, Leone’s book is a handy reference tool for those youngsters hoping to take their off-the-track racehorse to new heights.

The Buckeye Harness Horseman

Even though Olympic Silver Medalist Peter Leone’s latest volume focuses on the sport of Show Jumping, many young horse enthusiasts will be able to garner a good number of horsemanship elements applicable to nearly every horse sport—including harness racing. Peter Leone’s Show Jumping Clinic is absolutely best suited for the younger reader who is looking to improve both their horsemanship skills as well as their show jumpingtechniques. Leone stresses throughout his 224 pages of the importance of the relationship between horse andhis handler. A trusting bond is Leone’s formula for success both on the ground and in the show ring. As the Standardbred breed continues to expand and excell outside of racing, Leone’s book is a handy reference tool for those youngsters hoping to take their off-the-track racehorse to new heights.

It’san outstanding, informativebook! Do you get boredreadingpage after page of gray type with a few photos scattered around? Well, this book changes all that. It is indeed like being at a clinic, with “Spot Checks” to ensure you’re doing things correctly, “Try This” sidebars that help you resolve problems, and excellent illustrations and photos that show you the concept in action. It’s a fast read, and you don’t have to read it cover-to-cover. In fact, we bet you won’t be able to stop picking it up to look at it again.

From the Publisher

It’san outstanding, informativebook! Do you get boredreadingpage after page of gray type with a few photos scattered around? Well, this book changes all that. It is indeed like being at a clinic, with “Spot Checks” to ensure you’re doing things correctly, “Try This” sidebars that help you resolve problems, and excellent illustrations and photos that show you the concept in action. It’s a fast read, and you don’t have to read it cover-to-cover. In fact, we bet you won’t be able to stop picking it up to look at it again.

Horse Journal