Demi-Pirouette in walk?

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MerryMAL

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Hello all, in my dressage lessons I am working on medium trot (which is coming) and shoulder-in from a small circle (which was not great apart from one time on the left rein when it was really good). Anyway I'm supposed to be taking my PC B test next summer, and apparently you have to be "Work towards demi pirouette in walk." I am sure my horse has done it before. So my question is: when should I ask my instructor to start working on it - ie. how long will it take a bit of an airhead (me.) to be of B test standard?

ETA I have no experience whatsoever of any dressage movement more advanced than turn on forehand - so if you think its beyond PNish ability then please do say - but dont shout at me!
 
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It's not too difficult really! If you can do a turn on the forehand, then you'll have no problem with it! It is really a turn about the haunches - so the horse keeps walking (almost on the spot) with his hind feet and walks a large circle round his hind quarters with his front feet.

You have to keep the walk - 4 time - rhythm and not step back (big fault!). You ask the horse to walk more slowly, but with impulsion, and then get a little inside bend. Open your inside hand and ask him to bring his shoulders round. Push his shoulders round with your outside leg, keep the outside contact, so that he stays in his outline and keep your inside leg on the girth as a point he can pivot round.

Sounds more difficult when I write it down than it is really - just picture it in your mind, then think of pushing his shoulders round in a very small circle round his hind legs ...... simples :):):)

ETA What might help you and would be a fab Christmas present for someone to give you (!) would be a lesson or two on a schoolmaster ... so you can get the feel of what you want, without worrying about whether the horse knows it too...
 
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Absolutely start working on them. At B test they are not expecting a grand prix standard half pirouette but a lot of people find it hard to get the feel of them so time spent learning how to control the 2 ends of the horse and the rhythm of the walk is invaluable before putting it all together. Quite green horses can cope with the basic idea and you don't have to start straight into a full 180 degree turn, you can do just a step or two or 1/4 turns.
 
For the B test, they want you to be able to ride the movements effectively so the sooner you begin to learn the aids the better- especially if your horse is more established than you. Have you told your instructor that you aim to do your B test? Maybe print off the spec. and show it to her.

Good luck, hope you pass- my sister is looking to take hers next summer too!
 
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