Robin Walker, faculty member of the USEA Eventing Coaches Program, works with a Novice level rider schooling Training level. He first discusses what skills trainers should work on with their students to enable them to successfully move up the levels. One challenge is the horse tends to leave long to cross-country fences. Walker has the rider work on transitions within the gaits while maintaining her balance. In canter, they work on small changes within the gait rather, then repeat the exercise without stirrups. Walker helps the rider with her position to make her more effective. Doing trot–canter–trot transitions solidifies her seat and connection. The exercises help her create a stable balance and a stable rhythm.
Up Next in Dressage
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Dressage Basics - Part 3
Bettina wants more march in the walk and suggests the rider use his seat to accomplish this. She gives great tips on riding and improving the walk. They go back into the trot with details on when to apply half halts and ride the serpentine from the 2* test. In the canter they talk about the depar...
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Dressage Basics - Part 2
They reverse direction and Bettina explains softness comes from soft elbows, not opening the fingers. She helps the rider prepare properly for a canter depart. The trot becomes bigger after the canter, and they talk about containing that energy and changing the balance back onto the haunches.
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Dressage Basics - Part 1
Bettina begins this session by having the horse walk through a curved line of cavalletti. In the trot they work on the correct outline for the horse's strength along with the right rhythm. When they add the shoulder-in against the rail and lengthened steps on the open side of a circle, Bettina st...
