Straightness going up centre line??

[r0450111]

I had a lesson today and have begun my dressage training (before i was simply relearning to ride). We worked for 3/4's of an hour on opening up the trot. That went really well, could do it equally well on both reins after some work. Then my trainer asked me to ride down the centre line at trot, halt on x, then walk off, go on the left rein then trot. I did this three times and each time i really struggled to get a good turn in and to keep straight, whilst going down the centre line! Does anyone have any tips for managing this?

I hope next time i ride i will have a mate who will take pics. Am kicking myself now that i dont have any!!!

[madcatwoman]

i always found the best method was having a mirror at the end , so it gave you a point to focas on

[brigadier]

Riding to a fixed point is good- if you focus on it the idea is the horse should too- so look at C as though your life depends on it!

Straightness can be an issue and you need to learn that a horse is always bent one way or the other and ridden on one flexion or the other- never 'straight'. Even at walk I would be asking for a slight flexion one way or the other. If you need more explanation then post again!

[maximum]

When you are turning off the track onto the centre line remember you need to turn just before the letter- in a test you enter straight because you are coming in at A but when you have to turn up the center line you need to come off the track just before A so when you have completed the turn the horse is on the center line.

during the actual turn try not to pull the horse round the turn with your hand but push the outside shoulder round with outside leg- so on the right rein the left leg pushes the horse round. getting the turn right will help the straighness as you arrive on the centre line straight.

look up and ahead at C and think of your hands and legs creating a tunnel down which the horse will go so make sure your aids are straight and you are sitting straight- its not an easy movement at all!

[r0450111]

Hmmm, so the turn is pretty critical. Get the turn wrong and its a struggle to get the line right. Oh dear, i hate the corners!!! The horse i ride is very well trained but is far too clever for his own good. He knows exactly how weak in the legs i am and takes full advantage!!! So at each corner he does his best to cut in, with alot of slowing down!!!

So when i am turning on to the centre line, should i ride the corner as though i'm riding a semi-circle (ie keeping a bend untill i am on the centre line) or should i ride it as though i am doing two seperate turns (ie doing one corner then straightening then doing the turn on to the centre line)

[duckles]

A friend of mine has a really big horse and the only way she could get a good position down the center line was doing the semi circle from the m b f side to the a c line. My horse is smaller so I tend to do a corner after f and another at a. If I get that right, the line to c is usually straight as long as I focus on c. I know a lot of people put obstacles like poles or blocks or whatever on the center line to keep them straight and they do help focus. BUt I always find if you make the corner right, the rest follows. I suppose try both the semi circle and the 2 turns and see what best works for your horse or your visualisation. (I know its mostly to do with your riding etc but I find I can only do any shapes if I visualise them first- took me ages to see serpentines properly! I am dyslexic so I blame that)

[maximum]

If you are already having trouble with the corners then yes a semi circle from the quarter marker will be your best option. remember lots of half halts to ensure the horse stays balanced as that can cause the 'wobbles' as well!

When you do a test the turn will come at the end so you will hopefully be in a nice forward rhythym and it should come easier! When you go up the center line at the start i.e entering from A look at the judge (C) and think straight!! Imagine yourself as that tall, elegant dressage rider with legs like a stork wrapped round that dressage horse!! imagery is a powerful tool!

[r0450111]

I will have to have a go or hundred in my next lesson ojn friday. Hopefully i will be able to get one of my mates to take some snaps of us. Think i will try the semi circle and see how it goes. Sambo had the capacity to do it properly but i have zero leg strength and he doesnt really respect my leg on corners. He comes off it nicely but will cut in at the corners. I'm hoping to start pilates in the next week so hopefully that will help as well!!!