Novice 30 - changing canter lead over X

T

tatty_v

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 March 2015
Messages
1,499
Visit site
Hi all

Just wondering if anyone had any tips on riding a change of canter lead over X as required by Novice 30? My pony's canter has come on leaps and bounds and he's picking up the right leg each time, which is great, but I just find the trot transition over X gets a bit messy and hollow, and coming from the left rein to the right he seems to be drifting to the right in the trot (probably something I'm doing/not doing!)

Thanks
 
Are your transitions in and out of canter generally good elsewhere in the school?

This is all about having the horse calm and listening, and you need to set the horse up so the transition is smooth and not rushed, so leave the track half hat to prepare the horse, ask for trot before X, trot over X and then half halt to prepare the horse and ask for canter again.
If he's drifting right it could be that you need to use more right leg to stop the drift.

I've not got the test with me but is this using half 20m circles?

If so I would work on canter transitions on a circle until they are smooth and not relying on the track (if he's drifting when in the middle he could be using the fence to keep himself straight when on the track), and then go to making the change of leg.

Sorry if you've done all that already^ :)
 
Ah, I had *issues* with this movement as well. I think novice 30 is the change of rein across the diagonal with change of lead over x?
Don't rush them, you have more time/space than you think - trot before x, few strides of nice trot over x (use this time to rebalance/half halt/get straighter), then other canter lead. Make sure you're looking up and at your marker, and use the corner before the diagonal to prepare the transition to help avoid hollowness.
 
That's the one - I think I'm finding it harder because it's across the long diagonal rather than two 20m circles, where you have the bend that helps. I shall have another practice tonight and try to use the half halts to balance him and not let him rush on - fingers crossed!
 
Ah ok yes more tricky if its on a stright line!

If he rushes in the movement bring him back to walk then trot and then canter, so he's not always going straight back into canter, but has to wait. Obviously in the test you don't walk but when practising it could be a good way of getting him to wait and listen. I also find that if I know I'm going to ask for that walk transition then I ride the trot transition slower than if I know I'm going straight back into canter, so the resulting trot always feels a bit slower and more in control. Though that may just be me :D.

I also quite like going down the center or three quarter line and doing canter trot transitions to make sure they are straight and not using the fence to lean on.

x x
 
I probably wouldn't worry too much about it. Do what smja said don't rush it and do a few trot strides before asking for canter again. It's kind of a simple change but you have more time than just one trot stride or going back to walk. The judges won't expect the best change in the world more looking for balance obedience and rhythm I would say. In elementary you are expected to be more precise and have quicker reactions but not for novice. Can't see why a judge would be that mean at least.
 
If he rushes I too would do lots of transitions to walk over x so he never knows what to expect.
When first starting I've found it comes up fast and smetimes run out of room, so I practice using serpentine in canter but also keeping it interesting by not always cantering again, or I walk. Stopping them anticipating the second canter transition is often the key.
but hey its only 1 or 2 marks in a whole test, so smile and enjoy!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top