11 minute read
The paces
PACE PERFECT
Whether the horse has expressive rhythmical paces or restricted ordinary ones it is our responsibility as riders, trainers and judges to preserve and nurture what nature has given. In a new series by Jane Kidd, we look at what can be done to achieve this, starting with the canter.
As always with the paces the priority is the regularity, which in the canter is a three time beat with a moment of suspension. The rider looks to develop their feel, the awareness of what is happening in the horse’s body and limbs and whether the sequence is correct or failing. Trained eyes on the ground can help and tell them what is happening.
LEFT: A WONDERFULLY EXPRESSIVE CANTER FROM A YOUNG HORSE, AN UPHILL TENDENCY AND OBVIOUS HOCK ACTION.
LEFT: AN ACTIVE AND ELASTIC CANTER THAT IS JUST ABOUT TO GO INTO A CLEAR MOMENT OF SUSPENSION.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD CANTER
Energetic hock action and an uphill tendency is an e cellent indicator of whether the horse will be able to collect as the training progresses It is the best pace to develop the topline muscles of the back and neck.
THE SEQUENCE
fter the moment of suspension, the horse lands on its outside hind, followed by the diagonal pair of the inside hind and the outside fore, as the latter stay grounded the outside hind lifts and then the inside fore the leading leg lands to enable the diagonal pair to lift and fi nally the leading leg. ith all the legs off the ground there can be that vital moment of suspension.
he rider has to be supple enough that, while remaining upright, they can absorb the alternate dipping action when all the weight is on one foreleg and the lifting of the forehand when the outside hind is the only one on the ground. his action strengthens and elastacises those important back muscles but gradually becomes less pronounced as the horse works more through’ and carries more weight on its hind uarters.
ABOVE: THESE TWO IMAGES SHOW AN OBVIOUS TIPPING ACTION THAT IS CLEARER WITH YOUNG HORSES BEFORE THEY TAKE MORE WEIGHT ON THEIR HINDQUARTERS.
VARIATIONS
The basic pace is the working canter in which the horse fulfi lls the aims see opposite which the horse fulfi lls the aims see opposite to a limited e tent. he straightness may not to a limited e tent. he straightness may not be absolute and greater emphasis is on good be absolute and greater emphasis is on good hock action than engagement. he essential hock action than engagement. he essential is that work is balanced and uent and the is that work is balanced and uent and the strides of a natural length. strides of a natural length. he distinguishing re uirement of the he distinguishing re uirement of the three variations used in all more advanced three variations used in all more advanced tests is cadence. his is the accentuation tests is cadence. his is the accentuation of the regular three beat with a steady of the regular three beat with a steady tempo speed of rhythm and clear uent tempo speed of rhythm and clear uent springy impulsion. springy impulsion. he shortest strides are in the collected he shortest strides are in the collected work, the middle in the medium and the work, the middle in the medium and the longest in the e tended and it is not ust the longest in the e tended and it is not ust the strides that change in length but the whole strides that change in length but the whole body. It is compressed in the collected with a higher carriage and a face close to the vertical, in the medium it is unconstrained with the head and neck allowed to lower slightly and the face to come in front of the vertical and in the e tended the horse lengthens to its utmost so the whole frame becomes a little more hori ontal.
In these variations the horse is e pected to show a distinct cadence along with a swinging back, elasticity and the aims listed.
EARLY TRAINING
o nurture the natural paces and make a horse secure in them when ridden takes time, the purists allow up two years. he horse needs to strengthen the appropriate muscles, particularly those along the top line, understand what the rider re uires and develop the balance needed to be calm and supple.
THE KEY FACTORS
evelopment of the scales of training. trengthening of the topline, most importantly the back muscles by stretching forward towards the bit with a slight downward tendency but without falling onto the forehand. It is hard to keep the balance stretching in the canter and the early years the stretching is best in trot. ake plenty of transitions especially between trot and canter. wrong strike off is almost always due to balance and positioning problems, not disobedience. unishment for
LEFT: ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF DIFFICULTIES IN THE CANTER IS A RIDER USING A STRONG PRESSURE IN THE REIN CONTACT AND IS EVEN WORSE IF THERE IS A BACKWARD TENDENCY. GIVING AND RETAKING THE REINS IS AN ANTIDOTE TO THAT.
RIGHT: STRETCHING TOWARDS THE BIT WITHOUT FALLING ON THE FOREHAND IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE TRAINING OF THE YOUNG HORSE. IT ACTIVATES THAT VITAL FLOW OF ENERGY FROM THE HINDQUARTERS TO STRENGTHEN AND ELASTICIZE THE TOP LINE MUSCLES. THE MODERATE STRETCH IN THE PICTURE IS ENOUGH DURING THE EXERCISE OF SHORTENING AND LENGTHENING THE STRIDES WITH THE OCCASIONAL REWARD OF A STRETCH.
mistakes creates tension rather than a better transition. • Development of the half halt. •Outside work, particularly hills. •Cavellettis and, as appropriate, jumping •Riding forwards without losing control so that the horse is in a clear three time beat.
Watch that shortening of strides does not lead to a at four beat canter.
DIFFICULTIES
•A rider holding back with the reins, particularly the inside rein blocks the hinds from coming ‘through’ and inhibits crucial working forwards towards the bit. It is a allowing some stretching followed by those variations again.
The aim is to alternate between asking for greater engagement when the forehand lifts into a slightly higher self-carriage and then driving the horse forward into longer strides and a slightly more horizontal outline. t first the variations may be small, ensuring the scales of training are maintained but as the horse progresses the variations can become more pronounced, the collection higher, all the time with a supple back and a clear swing.
As the training advances the straightness too can be made more distinct. In the early years it will be hard for the horse to take equal steps forward with the two hinds and it will be testing on the rider not to try to achieve this by fiddling with the rein contact and restricting the impulsion. Riding forwards helps make the horse straighter as does counter canter, shoulder fore and shoulder in.
PROGRESSIVE TRAINING
THE AIMS
• That distinct rhythm of a three beat and moment of suspension all in a steady tempo (speed of the rhythm) • Engaged hindquarters • Active hock action • Supple swinging back allowing momentum through it and the neck • Acceptance of the bit • Uphill tendency in a good carriage • Straightness
DANGER
A canter that might be comfy and controllable but does not show the aims will tend to be at no suspension and four beat. It takes bold riding, patient adherence to the basic training above to increase the likelihood of reaching the higher levels of dressage and enjoy the pleasure of partnering a happy athlete. natural reaction on young, unbalanced horses or one keen to speed up. Many riders do not realise the strength of their contact. Corrections include half halts, changes of pressure in the reins, easing then retaking and a full give and retake of the reins. crooked rider makes it difficult for the horse to stay balanced, to be straight and take an even contact. Other rider problems are those who find it difficult to maintain poise, to be supple enough to follow the swing of the back and who tip forwards. Corrections include watching riders with good positions and e ercises off the horse to increase suppleness and improve posture.
As the horse becomes more balanced in the working canter it can be asked little by little for more collection. Crucial is to maintain impulsion and that clear three beat. The best exercise for this is working on a 20 metre circle to ask for longer strides, then shorter ones without slowing the tempo, and repeating this a few times before
DIFFERING NATURAL TALENT
Horses with naturally expressive canters and ones with limited at steps both need special care in their development.
The expression needs taming without destroying, ensuring there is balance and controllable impulsion. This takes a skilful rider who is secure and supple enough to follow and not destroy the movement.
The more limited ones need correct stretching to build up the back muscles, and forward riding to encourage impulsion a regular beat and a moment of suspension. For both, transitions are key, initially between trot and canter then within the canter itself.
ZACKORADO
In a new collaboration between Blue Hors stud and Elite Stallions, it is a pleasure to welcome the incredible Blue Hors Zackorado (Zack x Florencio x Donnerhall) to the UK, for the 2022 breeding season. In this article we will explore just some of the reasons this stallion is such an exciting prospect for British breeders, and will hear from Beth Bainbridge, head rider at Elite Dressage UK, who has taken over these very special reins and has fallen head over heels for this tall, dark and handsome man!
With his modern and elegant frame, Zackorado is a stallion who will compliment a wide range of mares as he will help to lighten the frame, lengthen the legs and shorten the back, to create a more modern picture. He has a pleasing top line, is short in the back and has a super head and neck connection, making him a sublimely comfortable ride, and light and responsive in the rein.
His paces are full of natural swing, cadence and power and within each pace he has a number of diff erent gears. ust when you think you have found top gear, he can go on again and fi nd another gear’ says Beth. His strength in each pace is developing every day, the trot and canter are becoming both more powerful and with an even greater ability to sit and engage. His walk is free and regular, with no loss of rhythm or relaxation when collected. He was the champion stallion at the German stallion licensing in Kreuth in 2018 and in 2020 he was placed second at the mid selection for 4-year-old dressage horses, with scores of 9 for walk, 9.3 for trot and 9 for rideability.
While Zackorado is both a beautiful and graceful horse, and has scores of athletic ability, his biggest asset by far, is his absolutely exceptional temperament. Under saddle he is super trainable, fast to learn and eager to please his rider. e is calm, aff ectionate and easy to handle on the ground you would not know that you had a stallion in the barn’ says Anna Ross, owner of Elite ressage , he is stabled with geldings and mares and he is just a complete pleasure to have around’. e made his debut at the recent British Breeding Futurity Stallion Event, with Beth aboard, just one week after arriving from Denmark and having only been ridden by Beth a handful of times. e completely rose to the occasion, he was not spooky or fazed by the audience, or the other stallions. I don’t think I have ever trusted a horse so uickly before’ remarked Beth. Certainly, their performance impressed the crowd, with people queuing outside his stable for a cuddle and a selfi e
All in all, Zackorado is a stallion that ticks all of the boxes. He has the talent and trainability to go all the way to the top of his sport, but the kind and calm temperament that would make his off spring highly appealing to a wide range of riders. It is going to be exciting to watch this fabulous, young stallion progressing this year, Beth and the team at Elite Dressage are looking forward to showcasing him nationally in the near future. For now, they will be continuing their training at their beautiful Devon base and developing their partnership even further, whether in the arena or just hacking around the lanes and fi elds, with the dogs tagging along too!
FOR MORE INFORMATION Please visit the Elite Stallions website elitestallions.co.uk
