"I have a five-year-old 15hh pony, who I have been jumping for five months. Whilst warming him up over trot poles, I find he gets very excited and leaps over them. We have got to the great height of 2'6" and photographs show him jumping at least another foot! Why is he doing this and what can I do to help him calm down? Many thanks! I have attached a photo of us jumping. Jess Martin and Boo."

H&C blogger and Olympic eventer Sharon Hunt replies: "Well, firstly it's a good thing he jumps quite big over the fences. I'd much prefer that he is exuberant than careless! I would not worry too much about the trotting poles, but I would just keep repeating them again and again so that he gets used to them - just a quiet trot, not much leg. Also have them some distance apart so they're not too close and he doesn't get confused and think he has to do them in one go. As far as the jumping goes, just make sure he doesn't jump higher because he's scared, so if he's very spooky or green, do lots of small classes and then build it up to bigger classes over a period of time. Sharon."