7 minute read
Changing times
CHANGINGTIMES
In this series Jane Kidd will look at points that could earn, or at least not lose, marks for competitors. Fundamental to all the points are the basics. The majority of the marks are given for the rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness and at the more advanced levels, collection (the training scales).
The changes of leg through walk (simple change and canter fl ying change are where many marks disappear t the highest level of our sport, medals have een lost ecause of a little slip in the one time changes
In the one-times a minor mistake results in a mark of no more than and if at a ma or event where there are fi ve udges that is marks, which has to e dou led to as there is a coe cient of two for this movement his is a whopping drop in the fi nal score t is not so dramatic for simple changes ut still a ig contri utor to that fi nal score he simple fl ying change is also a movement that is a ig infl uencer on the uality and development of the training
LEFT: A WONDERFULLY EXPRESSIVE FLYING CHANGE WITH THE HORSE REMAINING IN CLEAR SELFCARRIAGE.
SIMPLE CHANGES
WHAT THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR
The FEI states the aim is: “To demonstrate the horse’s throughness and willingness to obey the rider’s aids at this movement, particularly in both the downward and upward transitions.” The requirements to achieve accuracy in the movement are: • A direct transition from the canter to the walk. hree to five steps of a regular rela ed clearlydefined walk • A direct transition to the canter on the other lead. It is relatively straightforward with a disciplined horse to fulfill the re uirements for accuracy but the judges also look for: hat the canterinto the first transition is su ciently collected with springy steps rather than flat ones lacking in impulsion. • The transitions are well enough developed that the movement into the walk can e fluent, alancedand engaged. • The walk steps are so balanced and rela ed that they can show a clear four time marching pace. • The horse is responding without tension to the rider’s aids so it can accept the preparations to make that direct quality transition onto the opposite leading leg. • All of this to be achieved with the horse in self carriage and remaining through
TIPS
Only ask for what the horse is capable of giving, depending on its muscle power, obedience and level of training. A key aspect of the latter is that the horse can step under and carry its weight su ciently to engage in the in transition and push off in the out transition Any hollowing means the quality is lost.
Strong use of reins will make this vital engagement di cult, and lead tolosses of balance and tension. The classic aids into the downward transition are a series of half halts and not a continuous rein contact, especially one that is strong and lacking in that all important forward tendency.
It is best to only ask for the transition into the canter when the horse has
BELOW: A GOOD CANTER WITH IMPULSION AND SELF-CARRIAGE AND THIS PUTS THE HORSE IN A POSITION WHERE IT WILL BE EASY TO DO THE MOVEMENT REMAINING IN CLEAR SELF-CARRIAGE. esta lished a clearlydefined walk specially in the early stages it is more important to wait until those steps are defined and relatively rela ed rather than to take e actly three to five steps which may include trot, irregularities and tension. he influential time is when approaching that transition to walk. If this is made in a canter that is collected, balanced, straight and in self carriage then the horse will be in a position that will make it easy to carry out the movement. aults in the rider’s position are reflected in the horse’s way of going. An uneven contact in the reins, the weight falling to one side, the position lacking poise and the seat bones not being secure in the saddle will all make it di cult for the horse to stay balanced.
ABOVE: THIS SERIES SHOWS A WELL PERFORMED SIMPLE CHANGE WITH AN ENGAGED TRANSITION INTO THE WALK, FOLLOWED BY CLEAR WALK STEPS AND THEN A WELL PREPARED, BALANCED AND ENGAGED TRANSITION INTO THE CANTER ON THE OPPOSITE LEAD.
EXERCISES
It is vital to make the training of the simple change progressive and whenever hitting problems to return to an easier way of approaching the movement by making the transitions progressive, and/or walking for as long as it takes to establish a relaxed regular pace where the horse is listening to the aids for canter without tension. You can even go so far in the training as to make a progressive transition to walk and not to ask for the second transition before the walk has been established.
If there is tension in the walk or the horse is resisting the new positioning it can help to take a few steps of leg yield to establish the new fl e ion for the canter and to soften the back muscles. f it is di cult to esta lish a canter that is collected and avoids tension in a straight line, then approach the transition after a volte.
ABOVE: A CANTER THAT IS STRAIGHT MAKES IT MUCH EASIER TO EXECUTE A FLYING CHANGE.
THE FLYING CHANGE
WHAT THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR
The basic requirement for accuracy is that in one stride the horse changes legs both behind and in front during the moment of suspension and that this change is not late behind or a hind dragged and not jumping ‘through’.
In assessing the quality the following are important: • The quality of the canter and the maintenance of the same tempo both before and after the change. he e pression and the fl uency of the change. • The forward tendency and ground cover. • The straightness, upward tendency and sensitivity to the aids.
ABOVE: A GOOD FLYING CHANGE HAPPENS IN THE MOMENT OF SUSPENSION AND THAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN IN THIS PICTURE.
TIPS
It is best to only start teaching fl ying changes when the horse can perform competent simple changes. As always, the rider needs a poised, supple correct position and along with this to be able to give clear well timed aids. Schoolmasters are a wonderful help towards this end. As in the simple change put the horse in a position that makes it easy to do the movement well. Therefore, ensure the horse is straight, in a collected canter that is full of impulsion and out of which it can be ridden forward into the change.
EXERCISES
When the horse is not straight, not stepping forward with the same sized steps behind, and taking a light elastic similar contact in both reins, then think of - or even ride – some steps of the appropriate shoulder-in before the change, or ride more forward in the steps before the change. If the horse lets the hindquarters drift to the left, ask for the change when riding down the long side on the right rein.
If the horse is getting very tense, revert to doing quality simple changes leading up to as few as one step of walk.
Develop a good canter out of which to make the change by working on the classic exercise of frequent transitions between medium and collected canter and occasional stretching for a few strides.
If the horse makes changes that are late or not through then fi rstly check that the rider is not blocking that hind jumping forward by using too strong a rein contact. Work on energising the hindquarters by riding more forward in a straight impulsive canter (wellengaged), and/or using stronger leg and seat aids for the lazy hind.
