KatB
Well-Known Member
Doing PN 112 tomorrow, and has give and retake on the diagonal in Trot. Now what is the "correct" way of doing this movementm, and what is the judge looking for!? Any help HUGELY appreciated
Give and Retake the reins.....
- Thread starter KatB
- Start date
icestationzebra
Well-Known Member
A definate release of the contact - they want to see a loop in the reins. Got a comment on one dressage sheet for not releasing the contact but I know I definately did but perhaps it wasn't clear enough?
Tempi
Well-Known Member
You push the hands FORWARDS, not lifting them up and forwards which so many people do. Move them about 3 plaits forwards, hold for a minimum of 3 seconds and then take back the contact. The horse should stay balanced and in self carriage - if it falls on its nose as soon as you release the contact thats not good news!!
KatB
Well-Known Member
Hm, Well I have watched alot of tests, and a few people have obviously lifted their hands up and forward so there is a definite loop, but still commented no release. G also thinks he has to follow the contact everywhere as been practising free walk and teaching him to follow the contact down...
helenlaw23
Well-Known Member
I help writing for some judges at unaffiliated dressage and they have G&RT in some prelims too. Just be careful you dont lift your hands up instead of forward (common mistake) like icestationzebra said make it clear and for a good few seconds giving a clear loop in the reins.
DressageChick
Well-Known Member
As judges we look for a continuous movement of the hands, no need to hold them forward, just move hands forward towards mouth, so reins clearly loop and then bring them back to normal position, usually over 3 strides ish. Watch you stay sitting up throughout.
Jo C
Well-Known Member
Just out of interest does anyone have any video of this ridden correctly? I am so useless at this movement but if I could see someone else do it properly I think I could get it straight in my head if that makes sense.
KatB
Well-Known Member
Thanks Dressage Chick, thats really helpful! And yes, agree Jo C, would be helpful for pics or vids.
tigers_eye
Well-Known Member
Utterly hate the way this movement is written into tests at this level, for the reason you have just stated KatB. On the one hand we are teaching our young horses to stretch into the contact so that we can develop their back muscles etc, and then we expect them to hold themselves up suddenly when we offer the hand
. I think it is an advanced movemtn and should only be in BE intermediate and Advanced tests. In Belgium at lower levels we had to show the long stretch (with the correct contact) in trot and canter in tests, which promotes better schooling IMO. Definate pet hate of mine in case you hadn't noticed....
KatB
Well-Known Member
Pleased it isnt just me!! Was practising it last night, and fond every time I gave the contact forward, he followed it and went nice and long and low
Obviously dont want to tell him off, but means I can never release the contact enough!! He is 5, so TBH I wouldnt expect him to be in true self carriage yet, althoght he doesnt fall on his face he does keep the contact by lenghthening his frame!!
Never mind.....
Bananaman
Well-Known Member
The difference being that when you want the horse to take the rein and stretch, you should offer the rein slowly and by lowerering and widening your hands, making sure that you maintain an elastic connection throughout.
In the 'give and retake', you give the rein more quickly without lowering the hand.
It is used to test the self carriage and should be used regularly as part of schooling, however at the lower levels I do think it would be better if they asked the rider to give only the inside rein, as in the Talent Spotting test.
Giving one rein only is how I train for the give and retake. Giving alternate reins and helping the balance with the other until the horse is confident with that. Only then, moving on to giving with both hands.
I admit it can be confusing between the two moves, hence the need to use clearly different aids for both.
In the 'give and retake', you give the rein more quickly without lowering the hand.
It is used to test the self carriage and should be used regularly as part of schooling, however at the lower levels I do think it would be better if they asked the rider to give only the inside rein, as in the Talent Spotting test.
Giving one rein only is how I train for the give and retake. Giving alternate reins and helping the balance with the other until the horse is confident with that. Only then, moving on to giving with both hands.
I admit it can be confusing between the two moves, hence the need to use clearly different aids for both.
Weezy
Well-Known Member
Oh Bananaman I could kiss you - I am doing my homework correctly
I have to do Prelim 13 (I think it is) for a combined training and it has g&rt over X in trot and was hoping my prep would be enough
Bananaman
Well-Known Member
Oooooh!
Glad to be of some use!
Glad to be of some use!
KatB
Well-Known Member
Lol!! Thanks bananaman, prob I have is he isnt established in either, so has learnt if contact goes slightly, he has to seek it. We do alot of the giving one rein at a time which he is fine with, and will prob be absolutely fine tomorrow, but is just interesting seeing different takes on it. I still believe that the novice levels is still too early to be able to show self carriage, I will see what comments get...