"Hi, I have a seven-year-old Arab x Cob gelding. He has a good jumping ability and is happy jumping poles, but as soon as we get to a show and he sees a scary looking filler, he just stops or does a huge leap over it. Once he has been over it once, he will jump it okay if we jump it in another class. He is quite a nervous type of horse. Do you have any tips for training him at home so I can make him a bit braver and build up his trust in me and not be so frightened of fillers when we get to shows? Thanks." Stephanie

H&C blogger and three day event rider Sharon Hunt replies: "Stephanie, I would suggest to build up his confidence that you practice as many different types of fillers at home as possible. To build confidence when jumping new things, I would always put them out to the side of the jump (i.e. not tclosed together under the pole) so there is a gap between them and he can see a way through and then hopefully goes first time. Also, keep the fence low so he doesn't have to try too hard and enjoys jumping them. Gradually over time you can put the fillers together; with some of my brave horses, I do this in one session but some take longer. Eventually you can jump the whole course first time with the fillers together. It is important to tackle this at home and build his confidence then he'll be happier when he's out. Sharon."