Find the distance to the obstacle
In this interview, we meet showjumper Helena Tunón, who with hard work and training has reached great heights both in terms of obstacle height and results. In this interview, we will focus on something that many people think is clever, namely finding the right distance to obstacles.
Who are you?
"My name is Helena Tunón and I am 35 years old and a show jumper based north of Uppsala. I have had an interest in horses since childhood, which still shapes most of my life today. I currently have two horses that compete at the 140-145 cm level, one of which has just qualified for the competitions during the Gothenburg Horse Show. I also have several younger talents that I believe in a lot."
How did it all begin?
"I got my first horse at the age of four. This was a Gotland rush that I fell off more times than I can count. That horse laid the foundation for my interest in horses, and the tenacity it gave me. I started betting for real when I was 19 years old when I was faced with a big choice, to stop riding or to bet. The decision was made so that I kept a horse, and started to bet with it, in parallel with a full-time job. After a while, I started a new phase of my investment , where I went down to half-time at work and started riding horses for others and having training for students.
I believe that you have to dare to take chances to get ahead. Everything you do is a step on the road to success."
"The important thing is not to say no to things, but to really see opportunities."
"I've done the work myself with many horses and learned from it. Nothing in life comes for free, and this has been a very good lesson for me, and I think it is for many others as well.
There hasn't been a big breakthrough for me. It has gradually gotten better and better, and that we have reached higher classes. But starting Falsterbo was really cool and felt like a receipt for all the hard work. However, I think it is important not to go too fast, neither for the horse's sake nor for your own sake. It is important to give it time for it to become sustainable. "
"There is no time that can go backwards as fast as when you go too fast forward."
What is your favorite exercise to practice getting the right distance to obstacles?
"My favorite drill to practice getting right on obstacles is a drill that consists of only two barriers. The barriers are preferably placed on the long side of the track you are riding on, with 18 meters between them. The first time try to set up a proper canter over the bars so that you can lengthen and shorten the gallop in the coming times, to increase and decrease the number of gallops between the bars. You should neither accelerate nor brake towards the first bar. You should already shorten or lengthen the gallop the step ahead is A and O to set the distances to the obstacles and get a flow in the riding.
Something that can be good to remember is that sometimes you end up in a vicious circle of not getting the distance. Then it can be good to break off and walk a lap, before trying again. Sometimes it's better to start over, instead of harrowing.
I think the exercise is good, regardless of what level you are at. Hobby riders as well as elite riders can use this exercise. If you want to make the exercise more difficult, you can add the bars to sugar cubes. This doesn't improve the ability to get right over obstacles, but it can make it a real leap, depending on the size of the horse."
Why is it important to have a good canter, and how do you achieve it?
"A good canter is important to have to improve your chances of being able to get well over obstacles and prepare yourself and the horse in the best way.
To set up a good canter, you need to hold on and ride forward, while thinking big leaps in the turn and letting the turn slow, rather than braking for the turn. You therefore need to have the canter with you into the turn.
I recommend that instead of decreasing on the short side and lengthening on the long side, do the opposite and decrease on the long side and increase on the short side. If you have a good canter, you should just be able to follow the canter towards the obstacle, and not have to go in and change a lot."
Do you have a favorite ZacZess product?
Yes absolutely! ZacZess breeches are real favorites of mine. I use the Ohio Riddleggings in the summer, when I experience them as slightly thinner with a little compression. I use Bombay Winter in the winter, as they are thicker and keep the thighs warm. I also feel that it doesn't blow through them in the same way as normal trousers, as they feel tighter. On the days I want an outfit I feel incredibly stylish in, I wear Miami .
Shop Helena's favorite product here:
We thank Helena for the interview and wish her the best of luck!
Who would you like us to interview next? Email requests to support@zaczess.com