OCTOBER 2022 THE RIDER /29


Skip Into A Straight Canter Transition


By Kathy Farrokhzad. This exercise is for


you, if you want to improve the straightness of your trot- canter transition. You will actually


spend more time in canter than in trot, but we use the trot to help you set up your horse's balance and straight- ness so that you can easily "skip" into the canter. The


longer canter stretch will allow you to develop your horse's canter before having to transition back to the trot.


Here's the pattern 1. Start at F, on the left rein, already in trot. Head across on the diagonal. Canter in right lead as you pass over X. 2. Now, continue the rest of Step 1 in canter. Contrary to


most patterns, we won't do a corner. Instead, start a half 20-m circle before you reach the corner, and continue in the half-circle in canter. De- velop a slight bend through the half-circle. 3. Trot before you get to M and change across the diag- onal again in trot. Now, do everything in the opposite direction! So transition to canter


as you pass over X, this time in the left lead. Do the half- circle in canter and transi- tion back to trot before F.


Repeat several times. The theory behind


"Practice Sessions" is that you need to practice in order to see benefits. So as you ride through the pattern, you might find that you need several repetitions just to get each component. THEN, once you and your horse know where you're going and what you're doing, you will be able to work on the nuances that are at the heart of this exercise.


The Details


The Corner Use the corner to help


set up for the diagonal line. As you head into the corner, a half-halt might help your horse maintain his balance as he navigates the tight turn. You might need addi- tional "go" (two legs on) going through the corner, which will allow the horse to engage the hind legs enough to head into the diagonal with enough strength. Treat the corner as a tight bend and turn your own body into the bend the same way you expect from your horse.


The Diagonal Line Now, the beginning of


this line will give you a mo- ment to focus on tempo and balance before the upcoming canter transition. Look for a


1-2-1-2 consistent tempo. Work on travelling in a straight line (no noodling!) and send energy again from the hind end to the front end. You might want to strengthen the trot if it feels under power. Or you might want to half-halt to contain too much energy.


The "Skip" (Transition Over X) Prepare for the canter


before X. You might need to set up a little for the right lead, because you just came off a left turn! Look for the corner of


your horse's right eye (flex- ion). Many horses will be still looking left at this mo- ment. Having correct flexion


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will help your horse with everything from knowing where he's going next, to not wavering off the diagonal line, and finally, to knowing which lead to take. Use a little right leg to


balance the horse's right rib cage and shoulder (and pre- vent it from falling in). Sit balanced on your new inside seat bone (the right) and then... a little "windshield wiper" swish of your outside leg to ask for the canter de- part.


The transition should


be nothing more than a change of leg, in the correct lead. There should be no rushing, scrambling, head tossing, stopping, or deeking to the left or right. You know


you (finally!) have a skip when nothing changes other than the gait. The line stays straight, the horse's outline stays the same, the energy just continues to flow as it was in trot. You can keep your balance because your horse was already in bal- ance. And the horse is light on his feet!


The Half-Circle The half-circle gives


your horse time to enjoy the canter for a moment. See if yo-u can develop the stride length (without speeding up), create a mild 20-m bend in canter, and still maintain a consistent tempo. Prepare for the down transition and


Continued on Page 30


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