Very low level showing, canter (wrong lead)

[Dirty_D]

I just wondered if i'm entering a Riding Horse class at a local show (probably the lowest level there is!) if i canter on the wrong lead on one rein am i better to try and correct it (which to be honest isnt going to happen because its so hit and miss!) or should i continue on the wrong leg? If not should i just canter my good rein and forget the bad rein altogether?

Also do you think i should do my good rein first or last (whether to leave the good one in the judges head or get it in first)?

I'm not worried about winning but i just want him to experience as many show environments this year as possible without just standing on the sidelines. Its only a local show at a livery yard near us but i dont want to look as if i dont know what im doing!

Any peoples thoughts will be gratefully received!

 

[miss_c]

Judges will mark you down less if you correct it than if you continue regardless. The judge will almost certainly ask you to show canter on both reins, and they will expect to see it. I always canter on her good rein first, and then she is easier to get to canter on her bad rein as I just do three stides of trot and back into the canter.

Main thing is though that you have fun!

 

[Sparkles]

I would say try obviously, if you can, to be in the perfect place to try and get the right leg. So, when they call canter try and circle just before they do [if you can] and wedge yourself towards a corner to pick up canter out of to try and encourage the correct leg. If you away from the judge, try and re-ask for the correct leg, but if you really cannot get it after a third try, then I'd stick to just doing a good canter on the wrong lead as there'll be nothing else you can really do.

It's always right rein first, and then onto the left rein [walk-trot-canter on right rein, come back to trot across the diagonal to show a bit of lengthening of the trot, then pick up canter on the left rein coming out of it, then wait till they call you to gallop on or if it's your indiividual, show the lengthened canter strides]...so no choice between choosing which leg you go on first sadly.