Give and retake the reins?

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spotty_pony

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Can anyone tell me what the judge is looking for when you have to give and retake the reins? Also, how much are you meant to give the reins? And how long for?

I have a Dressage Competition next Saturday and this is one of the movements so any advice will be much appreciated! :)
 
I believe but I may wrong, it is to show that the horse can hold itself together without the contact i.e. that he/she doesn't rely on the rider to hold them together.

Does that make sense?

I would also make the movement noticeable and hold it for a couple of seconds. That will allow the judge to notice the action!

Good luck with next Saturday :D
 
In a give and retake the horse should maintain its rhythm but it is allowed to lengthen it's topline. It is to show that the horse is balanced enough to maintain the pace and that it is in control without the contact. I usually think of 2 strides as the correct length of time But it depends on how well your horse does this to how much you want to push it!

Blitz
 
From BD Rule Book Rule 118. Give & retake the reins.
The rider pushes forward one or both hands as stated on the test sheetto clearly release the contact & then retake it.The movement of the hands/hand should be continuous & achieved over two or three strides. As this is a test of self carriage the horse should stay in balance, keepping the same rhythm, level of engagement, suppleness of the back. & accept the restoration of the contact without any loss of submission.
The BD Rule Book is well worth buying as it not only gives you all the rules but also the scales of training & notes on interpretation of dressage tests. Should be most things you need to know.
 
I wrote for a dressage test the other day that had this movement in it.

the judges most common comment was that there was not enough 'loop' show in the rein during the give and take.

The idea is to show that the horse can self carry so when the reins are given forwards this should reduce the contact on the mouth. Quite a lot of riders were giving forwards but keeping their hands up (thus maintaining contact) rather than giving the hands towards the horses mouth.

At least that's now I was interpreting her comments . . . . .
 
and when I have written for judges, there are normally a lot of comments that the rider snatches the reins and doesn't try to show a give and retake.
 
When I rode a dressage test with a give and re-take, my instructor told me the give a retake should be a clear looping of the inside (or both) reins for about 2 to 3 strides, and the horse should show that it can hold it's head idependent of the riders contact.
 
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