Left to Left - Just a thought...

[Rambo]

Whenever the subject of arena / warm-up etiqutte raises it's head, it seems that the 'Left to Left' rule is one that is consistently a bug bear to people

But what if there is a misunderstanding and people don't all think the same way

As i understand it, 'left to left' means that you pass the oncoming horse with IT on YOUR left (or the horses pass 'left side to left side')...i.e you go to it's right

Put another way, the horse on the left rein should always have the outside track.

Is that everybody elses understanding of the rule ?

 

[SpottedCat]

Err...yes!

TBH I think most of the collecting ring / warm up issues could be solved by the simple application of some common sense, limiting of numbers and a steward with a loud voice! Hartpury have it down to a fine art and it is a pleasure to warm up there. Another local venue does not and despite beautiful facilities it is rapidly falling off my list of places to spend my hard earned cash...

 

[Jo C]

Thats my understanding of it too Rambo

 

[kerilli]

yes, you pass with your left shoulder to their left shoulder. loads of people don't seem to know it though.
the only exception is that you should always yield the outside track to someone in counter canter, as they're not able to change direction fast - that's what i was always told. but i've learnt not to expect anyone else to know it.

 

[Law]

Yes Rambo.

 

[Bossanova]

Yes, but remember some schools have the rule of lateral work always has right of way......

 

[SpottedCat]

Kerilli:

I was always told that - people doing lateral work or counter canter have priority wherever they are, you pass left shoulder to left shoulder and you walk or halt on the inside track. So you are not alone.

 

[kerilli]

oh, i forgot about lateral work. oh well, there's three of us that will yield if we meet someone doing counter canter or lateral work... it's a start!

 

[SpottedCat]

Shame we're in different bits of the country, hey?!

 

[mylittlepony]

Left to Left is a rule I have always be taught and continue to use at all competitions etc. that I go to! It really frustrates me how many people thing it's ok to wander around on the outside track in walk and glare at you if pass them in any pace! This has happened to me at all levels, affiliated and non. I've learnt to be be very patient.....!

 

[kerilli]

i try to smile sunnily and say through only-slightly gritted teeth "we're supposed to pass left-left", but i can't always keep my calm, especially when i'm on a mare who doesn't like being ridden headlong at, or squashed against the walls...

 

[Rambo]

Okay, so seemingly not the confusion that some would have you believe (at least not from the experienced HHO'ers anyway

).

As to the additional rules for counter canter and lateral work, perhaps more relevant to specific disciplines but also worth remembering. The rule about walking on the inside track is an interesting one though...especially from a SJ'ers perspective. Personally I can think of nothing more annoying than people dawdling around on the inside track effectively blocking the route to the practice fence

It makes much more sense for people not jumping (in any pace) to remain outside removing the need for those jumping to navigate round them.

Perhaps the governing bodies (BSJA, BE, Bd etc) should publish 'warmup etiquette' rules pertinent to their disciplines in their rule books......and then make sure they are also clearly displayed and enforced at venues

 

[Bossanova]

Rambo- perhaps you could expalin to me why sjers always get off their horses and insist that someone holds them IN the warm-up, with their bums blocking the track, often with red ribbns in their tails......

 

[Rambo]

[ QUOTE ]
Rambo- perhaps you could expalin to me why sjers always get off their horses and insist that someone holds them IN the warm-up, with their bums blocking the track, often with red ribbns in their tails......

[/ QUOTE ]

Haha...well....I can only presume that sj'ers are less hardy than their eventing counterparts

Not sure what they do at dressage though...I thought the riders there tended to spend more time on the surface than the horses too...but for different reasons

I know what you mean though...it is a real pain...not to mention bl**dy dangerous ! I s'pose the rational explanation is that riders have to dismount to walk the course and also may have more than one horse in a class and also have to hang around for the JO. As such it becomes the 'norm' for them to leave their horses and I guess the grooms / parents etc just gravitate to the closest / warmest / driest area

 

[PaddyMonty]

Agree with rambo, in SJ warmup is much better to walk on outside track leaving inner track and hence approach to fence clear.
The problem with the left to left rule comes when people go out of their way to pass left to left executing some very interesting manouvers to achieve it. Its very noticeable in warmups who are the experienced riders. They are the ones who use left to left when horses are likely to pass close, where it is obvious there is sufficient seperation then they just continue on the course they are on.
It's really all about awareness and keeping your eyes OFF the horses neck. It's generally very easy to see where a horse is going if you are watching it for more than 2 strides.

 

[tigers_eye]

Sorry to hijack - are you coming to Keysoe today TF? I'm aiming to get there about 12 and jump whatever's on by then.

 

[PaddyMonty]

Sorry No

Horse is only just back in full work so going to take him unaff on sunday just to ease him back in gently.
Will be back out playing soon

 

[Bananaman]

I'm with you whole heartedly on those points.
However, another point to ponder.................

If you have someone in shoulder in on the left rein and someone approaching them on the right rein in counter canter, who gives way?

 

[Jo C]

At that point Bananaman I just shut my eyes and hope for the best!

 

[saskia295]

[ QUOTE ]
Whenever the subject of arena / warm-up etiqutte raises it's head, it seems that the 'Left to Left' rule is one that is consistently a bug bear to people

But what if there is a misunderstanding and people don't all think the same way

As i understand it, 'left to left' means that you pass the oncoming horse with IT on YOUR left (or the horses pass 'left side to left side')...i.e you go to it's right

Put another way, the horse on the left rein should always have the outside track.

Is that everybody elses understanding of the rule ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, and anyone that skims past me or comes close to crashing with me will feel the wrath!! GGRRR! Sorry, but I have no patience for those that cannot give a little common courtesy to others in warm up areas. It really doesn't take a lot does it?!

 

[saskia295]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm with you whole heartedly on those points.
However, another point to ponder.................

If you have someone in shoulder in on the left rein and someone approaching them on the right rein in counter canter, who gives way?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the person who's going the faster pace has priority. (ready to be corrected though?).

 

[piebaldsparkle]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, and anyone that skims past me

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh yes espically in dressage warm-up, pass 1ft from you with a whip that is sticking out 3ft on your side!!!

 

[kerilli]

Re: "If you have someone in shoulder in on the left rein and someone approaching them on the right rein in counter canter, who gives way?"

haha, the person in shoulder-in of course! easier for them to get off the track in 2 strides, innit?

or, more likely, whoever is most awake at the the time!

seriously though, the "riding with soft eyes" thing (is it a Mary Wanless thing? can't remember) makes a huge difference in the warm-up, it increases your peripheral vision to the extent that you know where everyone else is and what they're doing, and can easily avoid them!

 

[TarrSteps]

Left hand to left hand - the same everywhere you go. Walking to the inside or outside seems to be changeable though - I have been known to take a poll and decide on a consensus for the group.

I love the sticking out whip! I always want to ask what the heck their whip is doing way out there anyway!! I've had a few young horses get pretty spooked by being poked when they weren't expecting it. My personal fav is people bent the wrong way, doing no discernible movement, who suddenly turn across the ring or circle and grumble like the rest of us should have been reading their mind instead of their horse.

If there's confusion coming or the other person looks stricken I usually call my path - "inside", "circling" etc. - even if it seems obvious. Sometimes the look of relief I get is comical. I try to warn people if my horse is very green and likely to get anxious and waver a bit coming head to head since most people will cut a bit of slack then. I also try to identify the "dangerous drivers" who look so nervous their brains have disengaged and try to at least stay out of their way as much as possible. I find it often helps if I speak to people like that - just say "hi" or "nice horse" - so that I register on their radar and they stop thinking everyone in the ring thinks they're a numpty.

My old horse was fantastic - other horses just got out of his way even though he never did anything to anyone. Well, except the FEI rider who ran into us repeatedly and completely unjustifiably. I could just ride around, singing a happy tune and not worrying. But I find small collecting rings with young horses, especially stallions, to be about the most stressful place in the world!

 

[gloster_image]

Yes i echo everyone else

My real bugbear is people who sit on their horse, by the gate, chatting to someone on the ground - with their horse taking over the entire track. I once had this happen at a local venue down south, I was cantering around and person just stopped right infront of me to chat - i cantered right into the side of her and low and behold I was the one who got given the mouthful from her hmph!

 

[DressageChick]

Yes left hand to left hand, lateral work takes priority and walk on an innner track - although hardly anyones adheres to it!

 

[ChestnutMonty]

What drives me mad most of all is when people stop on the outside track infront of you!! I always check over my shoulder before slowing down and move onto the inside track!! Im sure all of this is just common sense though!??