That statement by Rob Ehrens ran like a common thread throughout the evening. According to father and son Ehrens, training doesn't start with jumping, but in the walk. "That's what a lot of people forget: how important the walk is." Working from a place of calm and clear communication, they focused on transitions, flexion, and tempo changes, because: "In the work we do, we should never stay in the same tempo for too long."

With a large, still somewhat weak horse, the initial focus is on strength and body control. "Once that body is under control, the head will naturally go down."

Poles and first jumps

Over poles and the first jumps, everything revolves around calmness, tempo control, and small movements from the rider. "Everything you give away in the air, you have to regain afterward." And you don't have to solve everything all at once: "Just take your time until the next step. And then move on."