What makes for a smooth show jumping round? Balance, rhythm, and rideability come to mind. If your horse is rideable, he is responsive, obedient, supple, and in balance at all times. Here is a great pole exercise to help you improve your horse's rideability on course!
For the horse, the learning happens on the release of the aid. That means if you don't release the aid, the horse will not learn.
"Don't take the tempo down without revving the engine." ~ Chris Bartle
I don't even think about aiming a young or green horse at a jump until I have them 100% in front of my leg on the flat. If you do, and the horse thinks about stopping, you will have no recourse, and will end up teaching him that
From Facebook fan Joan Dunlap ~ "Fix your position first... then the horse will adjust theirs."