How do you manage a horse's fitness for Working Hunter competition?

Working Hunter competition demands a level of fitness appropriate to jumping a full course of fences and then performing in a flat class within the same session. A horse that is not adequately conditioned will show fatigue in its jumping — losing rhythm, becoming flat over fences, or losing impulsion — and will be unable to produce the correct, forward flat work required in the second phase of the class. Building fitness for Working Hunter requires a combination of flatwork, jumping, and conditioning work that develops both cardiovascular endurance and the specific muscular strength required for correct jumping and sustained canter work. Hillwork and long, forward trot sets on varied terrain build cardiovascular fitness and hindquarter strength without the concussive impact of repeated arena work. Consistent flatwork develops the correct musculature through the topline and hindquarters that supports both correct movement and correct jumping technique. Jumping sessions should be frequent enough to keep the horse fit and confident over fences but managed in terms of the number of jumping efforts per session to protect the horse's joints and soft tissues. Many trainers find that a horse that is genuinely fit for its work jumps with more confidence and consistency than a horse that is minimally fit, because fitness supports the bold, forward energy that Working Hunter rewards. In the weeks leading up to a competition, the intensity of conditioning work is typically maintained while the volume is slightly reduced, so the horse arrives at the show physically fresh and mentally sharp rather than fatigued from heavy preparation work.