Dressage walk 3-7 steps query

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MadisonBelle

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Hi,

I'm pretty sure I know the answer but I am doing a BE 80T test on Saturday. It says "between F & A Transition to walk 3-7 steps. Then proceed to working trot. KXM Change rein".

Now I plan to walk as near to F as poss..... do 3 strides FROM THE NEAR FORE HITTING THE GROUND 3 TIMES, then ask for trot. (She can be lazy so it may take a couple of strides to get her brain in gear ;) ) That will be 3 strides won't it as I've seen others count each fore leg hitting the ground as a stride so they "count" twice as many as me!?!?!? I am right in my thinking aren't I??

Thanks! :)
 
I'm not sure how much help this is as I've only ridden pure dressage, never an eventing test but if it specifies a number of steps like your test does I always aim to get somewhere in the middle. So if it says 3-7 I'd be trying to count 5 steps. There's not too much space between F & A so it sounds right to be starting to ask for the walk at F. Good luck.
 
It is 'steps' *not* 'strides' - they are two different things ;)

So the other people are right - if you count each footfall as a step - one stride = 4 steps. So counting 4 forefoot falls would be the same as 7 steps. Therefore you need to count between 2 forefoot falls (so left fore, right fore = 3 steps) and 4 forefoot falls to do the right amount of walk.

They replaced the 'walk one horse's length' with this terminology instead as it is apparently simpler I think.

Hope that makes sense?!
 
SpottedCat said:
It is 'steps' *not* 'strides' - they are two different things ;)

So the other people are right - if you count each footfall as a step - one stride = 4 steps. So counting 4 forefoot falls would be the same as 7 steps. Therefore you need to count between 2 forefoot falls (so left fore, right fore = 3 steps) and 4 forefoot falls to do the right amount of walk.

They replaced the 'walk one horse's length' with this terminology instead as it is apparently simpler I think.

Hope that makes sense?!
Click to expand...

Yes - definitely this!!
 
If you let the near fore hit the floor 3 times, you have done 6 steps.

If she is a little slow off the leg I would ask for trot after the left fore has hit the floor twice.
 
DOH of course!! Well spotted SC!!! Haha I really should read things P R O P E R L Y as just skimmed over it last night on the train and assumed it said strides.....

What a complete dork!!!!

have no idea how to insert anything other than ;) and :) but if I did it would be a stupid/embarrassed face for this one.....
 
FinnMcCoul said:
Dont over complicate - show a clear bit of walk and then trot ;)
Click to expand...

Exactly right. Don't get too wrapped up in counting the legs as you will forget to ride good quality transitions. The idea of the exercise is to ride the horse onto his hind legs in the downward transition, then go straight away into trot in the improved balance and connection. It is unlikely that the judge will avidely be counting the steps as the quality of the exercise is of more important especially at this level. If you think of walking about one horse's length this will be about right and you will then be able to think of the more important things.
 
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