Step 1
Step 2
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. Develop a slight bend through the half-circle.
3. Trot before you get to M and change across the diagonal 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 transition 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 additional "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 moment 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 (flexion). Many horses will be still looking left at this moment. Having correct flexion 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 prevent 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 depart.
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 balance. 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 you 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 trot before the next turn, so that you can trot again into the straight line.
The Final Picture
I mean, this is an easy pattern, no? (Joke!)
All you are doing is a trot figure eight with diagonal lines, and cantering from X to the end of the half-circle. 🙂
At least, the idea is to make it look easy after you've got a good handle on all the parts.
Work on developing ever smoother transitions, both up and down. Figure out where you need to do the half-halts to contain energy, and where you need additional leg to maintain energy. Where does your horse have a tendency to lean in? Which lead departure is the more difficult one? Through repetition, you can improve the weakest parts, then the next weakest, and so on.
Changing sides and gaits in this way creates quite a workout for you and your horse, teaches straight lines as well as bends, and gives you opportunity to develop the timing of your own aids as you fine tune the details.
Have fun!
If you like this sort of pattern work, take a look at my Practice Sessions Premium Membership. The Practice Sessions are a complete program beginning with exercises like the one above, designed to improve specific aspects of the horse and rider. All set up and ready to go, all you have to do is watch the video, print off the pattern PDF and head to the barn!
But there's so much more! There's quality of movement exercises, theory "Mini-Classes" on specific aids and figures, a fantastic group of riders who motivate and encourage each other, and so much more! Click here to learn more.
