Dressage teacher and creator of Grasp Dressage Peter Dove stocks some pearls of knowledge on not unusual errors made by means of riders in dressage checks in addition to find out how to save you them and earn extra marks
1. 20m circles
Peter says: “Riders want to be correct always, each whilst competing and education at house. When driving 20m circles, I see numerous what I name ‘squircles’ the place the form is totally improper. Competition will both pass into the corners after which make a flat form on the apex of the circle the place the pony has a tendency to finally end up on its outdoor shoulder or they’re going to practice the monitor too a ways across the enviornment after which flip to make the highest of the circle because of this it finally ends up sq..
“With a purpose to trip a proper 20m circle, believe the form you wish to have to trip is a steadiness beam which has simply enough space to your horse to move alongside the highest of it. Then suppose to your self about which aspect of the steadiness beam your horse would fall off, and make the correction. If this can be a left-handed circle, your horse must at all times be making steps to the left. Consider a circle inside of a sq. — the circle will handiest contact 4 issues of the sq. — once your horse touches each and every level, it should straight away go away it. For instance, in case your circle begins at A, your horse must step off the monitor as quickly because it reaches the marker.
“You shouldn’t be anyplace close to the corners of the world — after beginning your circle from A, you must be aiming for the following level at the monitor 10m from the nook (or 4m past the nook marker letter). Don’t let your horse proceed wandering via its outdoor shoulder whenever you succeed in the apex of the circle. After all, whenever you go back to the place to begin of the circle, straighten your horse up onto the monitor.”
2. Trade the rein around the diagonal
Peter says: “The most typical mistake riders make when appearing this motion is that they arrive out of the beginning nook too temporarily. You want to keep in mind that you’ve got 6m out of the nook to trip ahead of you succeed in the marker from which the motion in reality begins. Due to this fact, trip into the nook, along with your horse’s legs stepping clear of the monitor easily on the marker.
“Don’t goal your horse’s nostril on the marker on the finish of the diagonal — your horse is lengthy, so by the point its frame has all were given onto the monitor, you are going to to find your self already within the nook. So as an alternative, as you trip around the diagonal, goal your horse’s nostril part a horse’s period ahead of the marker, in order that you assist save you falling throughout the nook.”
3. Corners
Peter says: “I counsel riders to not take into consideration driving into the corners as they believe they must. As an alternative call to mind corners as ¼ circles. Get started the flip 5m from the nook and trip a clean curve in order that you take care of steadiness and rhythm.”
4. Centre traces
Peter says: “By no means flip onto the centre line while you get to the marker — your horse can’t do 90 stage turns! As an alternative, like corners, call to mind the flip as being a ¼ circle. Get started your flip ahead of the marker — how a ways that is depends in your horse, like his dimension and enjoy. Search for the tip marker you might be heading for thus that you’re targeted and will make any vital small changes to stay your horse at the centre line. Don’t flip your shoulders as you are going to lose the steadiness and outdoor shoulder of your horse — it’s a lot better should you stay your shoulders sq. over your hips and simply flip your head.”
5. Give and retake the reins
Peter says: “Riders want to keep upright of their our bodies after they give the reins away — don’t cave in ahead. Horses want to take care of their very own self-carriage with out the reinforce of the rider, so it’s subsequently the rider’s activity to turn a transparent loop within the rein, with their palms driven forwards in opposition to the bit to be able to get the most productive marks. The pass judgement on gained’t thoughts if the pony takes its head and neck forwards relatively, so long as they don’t fall onto the forehand.”
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Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Long term
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