Showing - change of rein

[Mari]

Re the letter in H&H. I never had any lessons in how to show & learned by watching others. I don't do so much now but have always gone into trot before turning across the diagonal & then move horse forward into a medium / lengthened trot in front of judge before coming back into working trot. I would only pick up canter when all other competitors have turned across diagonal to change rein. I've never seen anyone do a simple change across the diagonal in front of judge. Maybe that used to happen when there were fewer competitors in a class. Any top showing judges out there who can tell us how it should be done?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

A short but well executed show up till 5 yrs ago, was as follows in detail:
Come out, halt facing side on to the line up - pointing towards the bottom end of the class.
Leave judge by walking in straight line away from them & go into trot after half a dozen strides.
When past the end of the class, maintain balanced working trot on right rein round 'corner'.
Trot slightly lengthened across diagonal, passing in front of judge & lineup.
Shorten, go into canter left around corner & then come across centre again, then nice balanced change to canter right - past the bottom of the lineup.
Then a good lengthen along the ringside & back to balanced canter right.
Halt in front (side on please!) in front of judge.

Occasionally if time short, then competitor 1 would be finishing as competitor 2 would be setting off.

Keeps riders in front of the judge at all times, not too much chance for minds to wander (rider or judge!)

Am sure others will have input tho

 

[ozpoz]

I was under the impression that the trot across the diagonal was where you impressed the judge with the brilliance of your horse's movement ! ( a trot is usually the best pace to show this )

In a large class the judge has a lot to look out for - he might only have time for a quick glance at you, so an experienced jockey may well avoid any suggestion that the downward transition had failed. : )