8 minute read
Earning the marks
In this new 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)
ON THE TURN
One of the fi rst things learnt when starting to ride is to apply the inside rein to turn in that direction, yet the opposite is what keeps a horse in a better balance and more able to develop quality work. The application of the inside rein is how both horse and rider fi rst learn to turn but the aim is to ride from the inside leg into the outside rein with a guarding outside leg and only a very light elastic contact on the inside rein.
This is di cult for a rider to master, and takes time for horse and rider to develop, but to keep quality in the work this is the goal. t depends on the rider being able to give clear co-ordinated aids, including weight aids, at the same time as maintaining a balanced upright position. This is not achieved in one go but is a step by step process and it helps if riding a go but is a step by step process and it helps if riding a horse that knows the way. horse that knows the way.
LEFT: THE RIDER HELPING THE HORSE TO MAKE THE SHARPEST TURN OF ALL, THE CANTER PIROUETTE. THE BEND IS AROUND HER INSIDE LEG, SHE IS POISED, SECURE AND BALANCED IN HER SEAT AND TURNING WITH THE HORSE.
For the untrained horse it is the same steady development of reaction to the aids and their coordination. To be able to keep the quality of the work through the turns is vital for good scores in tests. There are corners after corner as well as the circles, serpentines, loops, turns onto and off the centre line, onto and at the end of diagonals, figures of eight and pirouettes.
WHAT THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR
• Straightness. Just as on a straight line the hinds should step towards or in the front hoof prints on the same side along the line of the turn. The aim is for no deviation of the hindquarters to the inside or outside. • Bend. This follows the line of the turn so there is little more than a fle ion to the inside on a metre circle. As the turns become tighter, in order to follow the line there will need to be a uniform bend of the whole body centered around the riders inside leg. If the bend is achieved by using the inside rein so that the base of the bend is from the wither this will lead to the weight drifting onto the outside shoulder. This will then pull the horse to the outside and make it more di cult to turn.
It is natural for the horse to go where the rider’s weight falls. • Fluency. Rhythm, suppleness, contact and impulsion have to be maintained to establish a fluent movement.
LEFT: IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY STRAIGHT ALONG THE LINE OF THE TURN. IN THIS PICTURE THE INSIDE HIND IS
NOT STEPPING TOWARDS THE HOOFPRINT OF THE FORELEG ON THE SAME SIDE BUT DRIFTING OUT.
TIPS
Horses are able to make sharper and sharper turns as their training advances so the circles may be 20 metres at Novice level but Grand Prix horses can make six-metre circles without losing the quality of their work. Thus in Preliminary and Novice tests, riders are wisest to aim for the arc of the corners being not much less than as in a 20metre circle. This will make it easier to maintain rhythm, suppleness and contact. At advanced levels the arc may be six metres, but at every level going deep into a corner when the training scales have not yet reached a su ciently high level risks losing quality and marks. In addition, a great opportunity is sacrifi ced as a correct corner, whatever the arc, engages and supples a horse, so helping to set it up for the next movement. Preparation: Vital to making a correct turn. The fi rst step is the half halt, the second is a little fl e ion to just see the inside eye and to feel a light and elastic contact, the third is a transfer of weight onto the inside stirrup and saddle, without losing the upright posture and the position of the seat bones. Finally, while establishing the appropriate bend, to ride forward into the line of the turn and into the outside rein.
When on the line of the turn, adjust the aids so as to be able to keep on that line and maintain the scales of training. Rider’s role: Be conscious of the rider position as there are forces that will make it di cult to stay central, poised, and turning with the horse. Until the position is secure it helps to keep looking forward to where the horse is going and through its ears. Any looking inwards tends to shift the weight to the outside (collapsed hip) and inhibit the ability of the horse to turn. Accuracy: Important but secondary to way of going. Before even getting on the horse study the lines of the turns asked for in the test, where to go to make a 15, 10 or six metre circle or loop, where a three or fi ve loop serpentine will take you, what will be the track of a fi ve metre loop off the long side or down the centre line. Accuracy helps to earn marks as long as it is not at the expense of the quality of the way of going.
RIGHT: TO HELP THE HORSE MAKE A FLUENT TURN, THE RIDER’S POSITION IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN ON STRAIGHT LINES. THE SEAT BONES NEED TO STAY CENTRAL IN THE SADDLE AND WHILE REMAINING UPRIGHT WEIGHT IS TRANSFERRED ONTO THE INSIDE ONE.
PREPARATION IS VITAL TO MAKING A CORRECT TURN
TRAINING EXERCISES
The Half Halt Developing this vital aspect of dressage is a progressive process. In training it can start by being able to make forward going fluent transitions from trot to walk and back to trot. This means applying supportive aids with the legs and the seat and restraining but not pulling back with the reins. When the horse responds the rein, leg and seat aids can be eased before asking for a transition forward into the trot. ntil the horse understands, it may be necessary to use the voice, make a quick check with an outside rein to reduce forward momentum or a gentle massage of the mouth with the reins to prevent or reduce any tension.
If the transitions go well then start asking for that downward transition and before the horse walks ease the aids to stay in the trot. The aim is that the horse remains ‘through’ when the aids are applied, that the weight is transferred back onto the hindquarters and the horse is in a better self-carriage and balance.
The actions are ideally barely perceptible so as the training progresses the aids can become increasingly momentary.
Spiral circle Spiral in from a 20 metre to say a 12 metre circle on one track and then move back to the original circle on two tracks. As long as the horse steps sideways, almost straight with a slight fle ion, this can help the horse and rider to understand the concept of moving forward from the rider’s inside leg into the outside rein.
Lateral work The two earliest lateral movements, leg yield and shoulder-in, are based on that concept of riding from the inside leg into the outside rein and are helpful in improving the turns. earning to keep the position in a correct turn on the forehand is a good way of identifying and mastering the forces that take the rider out of position. nce again we get back to the importance of the rider’s position.
ABOVE: THIS RIDER IS SHOWING CLEARLY THE AIDS FOR A HALF HALT. HANDS RESTRAINING BUT NOT PULLING BACK, LEGS APPLIED AND SEAT AID MAXIMISED BY LEANING BACK A LITTLE, ALL TO BE FOLLOWED BY A RELEASE OF THIS PRESSURE. THE STRENGTH OF THE HALF HALT CAN BE VARIED FROM VERY LIGHT, BARELY PERCEPTIBLE AIDS TO STRONGER ONES, ACCORDING TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES. LEFT: TO AVOID PULLING BACK ON THE INSIDE REIN AND TO MAKE THE DIRECTION OF THE BEND CLEAR TO THE HORSE IT CAN BE HELPFUL TO MOVE THE HAND SIDEWAYS AS THIS RIDER IS DOING.
