Balance, rhythm and suppleness: these three simple concepts are the foundations of all training, especially when you leave the ground. Time spent developing them will arm you with a toolkit of skills that will make any technical lines or tricky distances a breeze when you hit the showjumping ring or cross-country course.Top competition horse producer and event rider JP Sheffield is a master at getting the best out of every horse and rider combination. He explains how to become a more successful, confident partnership, and up your control and accuracy over fences.Not sure how high to set your fences? JP says: While you can use poles on the ground when youre jump training, a small cross-pole or cavaletti is the preferred option as it will make you more disciplined on the approach. You and your horse will respect a small fence more than a pole.Exercise 1: Make every stride countOne of JPs favourite training exercises is to place two fences six strides apart and count out loud the strides as you ride between them. Sounds simple but get the basics of rhythm and control nailed here and youll be well on the way to mastering more tricky distances in no time.How to ride it:Simply place two fences (these can be cross-poles, cavalettis, poles on the ground or raised poles) six strides apart.Approach in canter, pop the first jump or pole, then count out loud with each stride as you ride to the next.Counting out loud will help you focus on your rhythm as you ride the six strides: aim to make everything as smooth and relaxed as possible.If you feel your horse is rushing or a little unbalanced on the approach, take a deep breath and calmly circle before the first element.Making the distance in seven strides, not six? Soften your hands and allow your horse forward.Its important your horse is relaxed and soft in your hands if youre going to achieve trickier lines and distances over a course think of this exercise as a test of the basics.Remember to count out loud. This really does help the rhythm of your stride pattern.It also helps you visualise the distance. Reached the half-way point by the time youve counted to three? Nice one, youre on track to make the distance.Bit behind the movement? You need to speed up!Exercise 2: Find your rhythmRhythm, rhythm, rhythm: so important in jumping that we said it three times!As JP is keen to stress, whether youre tackling your first clear round competition or rising through the affiliated ranks, nailing the basics namely rhythm (there, weve said it again), balance and suppleness is key.And the same can also be said for riding safely within the time when youre going cross-country, or shaving seconds off in a jump-off.How to ride it:Working with just one or two fences, with a bit of imagination you can really test your horses balance and rhythm in the school. After youve completed the first exercise, its time to mix things up.Try shortening up the canter and aiming for seven strides.Next, try lengthening the stride and riding the distance in five strides.Next, place a small fence on a 20m circle and aim for a nice even rhythm throughout.To up the ante further, place two small fences at a slight angle on the centre line so you can ride a three-loop serpentine, popping a jump each time you cross the centre line.JP Sheffield is an event rider, trainer and sports horse producer who is based in Leicestershire.Main image Your Horse Library.Related contentBecky Moody explains how to master the perfect 20m circleJay Halims simple showjumping warm-up routine to jump a clear roundNine course-walking tips for a clear round from Ben MaherRos Canters grid exercise to slow a keen or strong horse when youre jumpingThe post Cant see a good stride when jumping? These exercises from JP Sheffield will help appeared first on Your Horse.