Dressage markers

[mudmonkey17]

Where should the horse be in relation to the market when changing pace on a marker? I was always taught that the transition should be when the rider is level with the marker but then have seen somewhere it should be when the horses hard is on the marker. I am confused now

 

[JennBags]

I would say the rider, as that's pretty much halfway across the horse. It's what I've always aimed for.

 

[Batgirl]

Judge here, as the rider is on the marker is when the movement should happen - often people teach horses head to account for 'delay' which IMO teaches inaccuracy.

 

[Counterpoint]

It is supposed to be as the rider is at the marker, however you still need time to prepare the horse and for it to respond, you also frequently need to be at the right point in the stride. I find that if I aim for this I'm late for every transition which has a knock on effect on the next movement (eg E53 - canter at C then 10m Circle at H)

There is also the issue that sometimes you'll be on a turn, which by nature of the shape of the horse will be a curve, so for example if you are doing Canter on the diagonal to V then trot at V you will need to aim to hit the track slightly early so that the horse is straight as you pass V so your downward transition is balanced and you aren't trying to do several things at once.