Advice for how to get medium trot?

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PipsqueakXy22

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Hi

so the horse I’m currently riding and I have entered our first BD novice next weekend, but still struggling on medium trot. We did have a lesson with a dressage instructor last week, and we started to get the hang of it, my instructor said we managed a few steps, but still not quite getting it consistently. I’m struggling because I feel like we are just doing a faster working trot When I put my leg on. I try to ”hold” with my reins but it feels like he just ploughs through and does a faster working trot.
if nothing else it will be a learning experience for us this weekend, but does anyone have tips on how I can practice the medium trot? This horse has done up to advanced medium very sucessfully. so I know he is capable, but this was over 6 years ago so he may be out of practice, and I’ve never done novice nor medium trot.
 
PipsqueakXy22 said:
Hi

so the horse I’m currently riding and I have entered our first BD novice next weekend, but still struggling on medium trot. We did have a lesson with a dressage instructor last week, and we started to get the hang of it, my instructor said we managed a few steps, but still not quite getting it consistently. I’m struggling because I feel like we are just doing a faster working trot When I put my leg on. I try to ”hold” with my reins but it feels like he just ploughs through and does a faster working trot.
if nothing else it will be a learning experience for us this weekend, but does anyone have tips on how I can practice the medium trot? This horse has done up to advanced medium very sucessfully. so I know he is capable, but this was over 6 years ago so he may be out of practice, and I’ve never done novice nor medium trot.
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Think about slowing the tempo down, rise slower (maybe slightly higher) and half halt if the speed increases. Think of creating more power not more speed.
 
I agree with that. It is amazing how easier a medium trot is out hacking!

For me I think about pushing my tummy forwards in medium. Also my instructor says not to worry too much about medium trot. It is only 2 movements and it will come as your training and overall way of going improves. And to think of it as a test of your training level rather than a movement out there to test you. She is right, as we have been improving in general the medium has been improving. We went from “no difference seen” to “rushing” to “some nice steps”.
 
Don’t worry too much about it for your Novice test next weekend. The judge just wants to see a few lengthened strides at that level. Make sure you are using a good half halt before asking for pony to engage the hind for the medium strides. Avoid pushing pony out of balance and running onto the forehand. Better a couple of good strides than running or breaking into canter. Good luck and enjoy.
 
Northern Hare said:
Probably sounds silly, but can you play around with medium trot whilst you're out hacking so you can get the feel of it? A nice long and slightly uphill stretch around a field would be perfect if you can find one!
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Not silly at all, this is what I do and my GP riding trainer. Just make sure she doesn't get too long and loose balance. Eventually the penny will drop. Best if you go with another horse.
 
Definitely have a go out hacking - I find it much easier to get the hang of it and the feel if you’ve got more space (and a hill!) to help you. Maybe take a friend whose horse is either faster or good at it, so they push each other on a bit?

My old pony couldn’t get hang of it in the arena using all the traditional teaching methods (10m circle to set up hind leg, ask across the long diagonal etc) - we cracked it unconventionally by following some forum advice. Essentially I stayed large in the arena and just got faster and faster in trot until he had to lengthen his stride. The penny then dropped and I could do (and still can!) get medium trot anywhere any time 🤣

If you’re practising in the school across the long diagonal, wait until you’re straight before asking and rebalance back to working trot without burying yourselves in the opposite corner.

But as others above have said, it’s only a few marks in the test so don’t worry too much about it and have fun 😊
 
medium comes from collection, work on the elasticity and ability to sit, some don't get the hang of a proper medium until they get a decent passage!
 
As above, I was taught to sit, hold, squeeze and go. Do this from a corner either up the long side or across the diagonal, or out hacking.
 
Some horses definitely do seem to find medium trot easier than others.

As your horse has done advanced medium work in the past it could well be that you haven't found his 'button' for asking for medium trot. I tend to put my leg a little forward when asking for medium trot and back a little when asking for collection.

As others have said though, don't stress it. It is only a couple of moves in the test.
 
We're in the same boat! Also doing my first Novice at the weekend, on a horse that has competed up to Medium but about 5 yrs ago. I'm not going to worry about the medium trot too much yet, I know we can achieve good marks for other movements, so I'll just do my best on those and keep working at the trot for next time. Good luck!
 
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