steadiness of the canter stride

Steadiness of the canter and control of the steering when jumping

Droits d'accès:

Abonné

Image Miniature:

Résumé listing:

Niveau de difficulté:

Intermédiaire

Goal:

The goal of this exercise is to control the horse’s shoulders and haunches on a grid while staying in the same canter rhythm throughout the set-up. The slight curve of the track makes it a bit more challenging as any drift towards the inside or outside of the curve will modify the distance between the fences compromising the steadiness of the canter.
The key, to be successful, lies in the rider’s aides which should stay light and discreet and surely not strong and restrictive as many riders would be tented to use.
Michel emphasizes on the importance of keeping the horse bent to the inside to improve the correctness of his motion and the use of his top-line.

This exercise is shown on the sheet OBS6 of the Training program 1

Progress:

Michel teaches Sélène and her 7 year old horse, Amore. The rider learns that she needs to keep a relaxed position in harmony with the movement of her horse. The slightest tension can disturb her horse’s movements and prevent her from executing the exercise perfectly. The challenge is to give enough freedom to the horse while controlling the steering and the canter rhythm. A challenge that Sélène masters after a few tries. You will be able to get the feel for the ideal position just by watching the slow motion included in the video that you can, then, recreate when you will practise the exercise.

At the beginning, don’t hesitate to practise over ground poles only to set the correct reflexes before raising the bar.

Théma:

Keywords:

how to be in control when jumping

how to control the gait

steadiness of the canter stride

how to control the length of stride

how to improve the steering

relaxation of the rider

fluidity of the movement

Cours associés

Cours associés:

Guiding the horse’s shoulders on a precise track

Gymnastic on a grid

Test your connexion with your horse

Exercise to improve the quality of the turns

Training on a dressage figure

Test you ability to stay in the position of the middle

Miniature cours associés:

Associated products:

Training 1: Training program for the rider

Fun gymnastic in preparation for shows

Droits d'accès:

Abonné

Image Miniature:

Résumé listing:

Niveau de difficulté:

Intermédiaire

Goal:

This course that alternates straight lines and successive turns, is an excellent gymnastic to break down a course and prepare each part of it. Despite the difficulty of this exercise, it is safe and it will become fun for the horse and rider.

Too often, riders wander in the ring with no specific requirement. The horse drifts one meter to the right or to the left, and the rider doesn’t take any action in response to it. This lack of commitment is a vice leading to setbacks in competitions. Therefore, it is important to become aware of it when schooling via some specific exercises as the one Michel introduces in today’s lesson.

The challenge of this exercise lies in staying on a precise marked track. The rider has to be accurate and has to stay balanced in order to follow the track. At the same time, the rider can test his capability to have a large angle view, to keep the same rhythm, to prepare his actions, and follow the movement between the straight line and the curve where the horse has to change lead. A very interesting exercise for the rider to practise a range of possible movements.

Progress:

During this session, Michel teaches Charlotte and her new horse Tito, a 7YO gelding.

Charlotte starts at a trot in order to discover the exercise’s set-up. Then she practises it over ground poles at a canter. The first rounds at a trot are useful to set-up the correct cues between the rider and the horse. Michel advises the student on her position to prevent the horse to lean inside or run out. We can notice that each time the rider doesn’t anticipate her movements correctly, her horse tracks out.

After few successful rounds, Michel sets up some cavalettis. Charlotte has to focus on her eyes to avoid staring at the fences or at the object that marks the track. Then, they will practise the same exercise with a stronger canter. The goal is to come closer to the condition of a course where difficulties come one after another which can amplify the rider’s weaknesses.

By the end, the horse and rider get a full work having fun.

Théma:

Keywords:

steadiness of the canter stride

large angle view

REF HAE27