Intro of the Leg Yield

By Lisa Wieben and Birgit Stutz

Progressing through the levels of Western Dressage, each level builds upon the last. The lower levels develop a foundation with each level adding new components to build upon it. The lower levels begin to develop accuracy, bend through the 20-metre circles, and light contact. Moving into Level 1, this is where lateral movements are developed, which leads to more collection as well as the lengthened gaits for impulsion, bringing more push power to the hind end. Level 1 is ridden in the 20x60m ring and can be ridden seated or posting, although it is suggested that the jog be ridden seated. If you do sit the jog, the lengthen jog can still be ridden posting.

In this article we will look at the Level 1 tests and specifically the Leg Yield component. Whether you ride WDAA tests or other association tests you will likely still come across these three examples.

WDAA Level 1 Test 1: From left rein - At E half circle left 15m, leg yield right, quarter line to M

Now here we have two new components, the 15-metre circle and the leg yield. If you are not familiar with a 15-metre circle we suggest you use pylons/markers to lay out the size and shape of the circle. Measure 15 metres from track to quarter line, then 7.5 metres from the E-X line to the top of the circle. This will give you the correct arc and distance for the half circle. The half circle will help to give your horse the shape to begin the leg yield as your horse will be bending around your inside (left) leg. As soon as the half circle is complete you may begin the leg yield. You will want to arrive at M, with the rider’s body at M as you reach the marker. While the rider’s body remains with the bend of the horse, turn the head and eyes toward M, look where you want to go. Apply the left leg with the swing of the horse’s barrel to ask for the lateral movement, applying pressure only as the barrel is moving to the outside or away from the leg. The inside rein will maintain a slight flexion to the inside, while the outside rein will maintain straightness and prevent the horse leading too much with the outside shoulder or over-bending around the inside leg. The outside leg will maintain impulsion and also keep the horse straight. To make the distance all the way to M you will have to focus on preventing the horse moving sideways too quickly. This can be accomplished by asking for a step over, then a step straight forward, over, forward, over, forward, until you reach M. The outside rein and leg are key to preventing the horse from moving over too quickly.

Of course this is repeated in the opposite direction: Tracking right - B half circle right 15m, leg yield left quarter line to H.

This pic shows using pylons for the 15m circle with the starting point for the leg yield in two markers This pic shows the 10m half circle onto centre line

Level 1 Test 2: Tracking right - A down centreline, D-S leg yield left.

To successfully ride this maneuver the setup onto the centreline is key. Plan to ride a 10-metre half circle to get onto the centreline. Begin the half circle one metre past F (there are 6 metres from the last letter to the end wall). To ride a 10-metre half circle you need 5 metres or start 1 metre after passing the letter. This is something to practice for all the starting and ending centrelines as well. The letter D is the first letter on the centreline, located between F and K. Once you are positioned straight on the centreline, maintaining a slight bend around the inside (right) leg, turn to look toward the letter H. At D you will begin the leg yield, again thinking of over, forward, over, forward as you make the distance to the letter. Press over with the inside leg, then ask forward with the outside leg.

This is repeated in the opposite direction. Tracking left - A down the centreline, D-R leg yield right.

Level 1 Test 4: C track right M-X leg yield right, X-F leg yield left

In this case the leg yield is immediately after the starting centreline. Both directions of the leg yield are addressed so it is only performed once. Plan a 10-metre half circle from the centreline, through the corner, and finishing 1 metre before M. As soon as the half circle brings you to the track, put the horse into a slight counter bend using the left rein and leg. Turn your head to look just before X on the centreline. Begin to leg yield to that point. Left leg press and release and right leg maintaining straightness and forward. Plan to reach the centreline just before X so that as you move through X ask for a stride of straightness, then ask for the right bend to leg yield back to the walk. Right leg press and release, while left leg maintains straightness and forward.

To maintain straightness through any of these leg yield variations you can imagine that your horse is sandwiched between two sheets of plywood or plexiglass. You are moving the whole sandwich over and forward.

If your horse feels reluctant to move laterally sideways check that your weight is shifted in the direction of travel and not where the pushing leg is. For example to leg yield right, shift weight slightly to the right, while asking the horse to move over from the left leg. Imagine giving someone a piggy back ride… if they shift to the right, you will try to get under their weight. The horse goes where our weight goes.

At the end of each line your horse will be set up to ride into the corner as they will already be bent around your inside leg. After you pass the last letter turn your body more for the corner and use the inside leg to keep the horse bending through the turn.

If the test is ridden posting the leg yield cues will ask for over on the sit beat and forward as the rider rises.

Enjoy practicing these variations and see your scores improve as your accuracy, straightness, and lateral movements improve!

If you are unsure of where you are heading, it is always a good idea to connect with a coach that knows the sport you want to prepare for. We (Lisa and Birgit) are both available for online and in-person lessons.

Be sure to send your questions to nancyroman@saddleup.ca as we will answer another reader’s question next month.

“Alberta” (Otter B Jet), a 16-year-old APHA mare, ridden by Birgit Stutz. Photo credit: Shayla Dunkel Two examples of correct leg yields. The horse is crossing over nicely and has a slight bend around the rider’s pushing leg.

“Reno” (Itsa Rio Snazzy Zip), a Quarter Horse gelding, ridden by Lisa Wieben. Photo credit: Rebecca Wieben

Lisa Wieben’s passion is empowering women in becoming confident and healthy riders. As an Energy Medicine Practitioner and Clinical Somatics Practitioner she addresses pain, tension, hormones, stress, and the issues that appear as a result. As a Centered Riding Instructor and Irwin Insights Master Level 7 Trainer she works with riders incorporating awareness exercises both on and off the horse. Balance the rider, balance the horse! Book a clinic that incorporates all the modalities! www.somaticrider.com As an Irwin Insights Level 6 Master Certified trainer and coach, Birgit Stutz helps riders of all levels and backgrounds advance their horsemanship skills by developing personal and situational awareness, focusing on indepth understanding of equine behaviour, body language, psychology and biomechanics. Driven by her passion for both equine welfare and performance, Birgit believes that facilitating effective communication between horse and rider is an approach that fulfills our responsibilities to the horse and elicits great results. www.fallingstarranch.ca.

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