Part 2: Starting at the trot, Dorothy has the young rider work around the arena and on a circle while improving her position. Dorothy makes adjustments that allow the rider to follow the horse more and better support him, while pushing forward and creating increasingly elastic and supple steps. They progress to canter and work thoroughly through position and aids to influence tempo and rhythm, bringing the horse into supple balance. Dorothy has the rider imagine emulating the horse's hind legs with her legs. For example, if she wants his hips to come under, she has to move her hips even at the posting trot. This helps the pair achieve really nice tempo.
Up Next in Dressage
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Improving Suppleness - Trailer
International eventing star Liz Halliday-Sharp brings us a wonderful dressage lesson concentrating on suppleness and a round frame. She uses lateral work to keep the horse from locking up and losing flexibility.
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Improving Suppleness - Part 1
Liz starts this lesson by warming the horse up and getting him more flexible and through all while riding without stirrups. She recommends the rider use more leg and positioning when he locks up.
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Improving Suppleness - Part 2
They continue to work on bend in the ribcage. Liz instructs the rider to use her leg before her hand to keep him supple, and when he comes out stiff to think of being in shoulder-in, travers or leg yield.
