What is the correct progression from ground poles to jumping?

The progression from ground poles to jumping follows a logical sequence that gradually introduces each new element of the jumping challenge — the visual complexity of a fence, the physical effort of jumping, the adjustability needed for related distances — while maintaining the horse's confidence and the rider's security at each stage before adding the next demand. Ground poles at walk establish the horse's comfort with stepping over obstacles without concern, and poles at trot develop the rhythm and footfall adjustment that jumping requires. A single ground pole at trot develops basic awareness of an obstacle; multiple poles at trot distances develop rhythm over sequential obstacles. Cavaletti at the lowest height — essentially raised ground poles — introduce the concept of a small obstacle that requires slight effort without demanding a full jumping effort. The first cross rail placed after a trot pole introduces the concept of actual jumping while keeping the fence so small that confidence is maintained. Once the cross rail is approached confidently at trot and eventually at canter, a small vertical replaces or follows the cross rail in a simple gymnastic line, and the height is raised gradually as the horse's confidence and technique develop. A simple gymnastic sequence — trot pole to cross rail to one-stride to small vertical — introduces related distances in a controlled context where the distances are predetermined. Simple single fences ridden independently follow the gymnastic work, developing the horse's ability to approach fences at various locations and angles rather than always in a grid. Short courses of three to four fences begin the process of linking fences together, and full courses of eight to ten fences are introduced once the horse is genuinely confident and consistent over single fences and short sequences. Each stage is confirmed before the next is introduced, and any stage can be revisited if confidence decreases.