| Author | Message | ||
     Emma Burton |
Stretching the frame is allowing the horse to take the contact forwards and free the neck a little,giving a slightly longer stride and swing than collected. It should show up those horses that are fixed and held into a shape by contact, and those that run the second the rein is relaxed. Have a look at some ridden tests to see the difference between the medium/extended and working trot. Think big and forwards rather than up and extravagant. Any horse working correctly should be able to adjust between the required paces without problem,as with any movement its all about schooling and repetition! (she says hopefully.....) Personally I think stretch work is equally important to any working horse, and the new test seems a good step in the right direction. As mentioned before, has a give and retake ever been used in a driven test, does anyone recall? And have any movements been added that turned out to be unhelpful so were withdrawn? Am just curious, and possibly a bit bored! Still waiting for the white stuff to disappear so I can work mine a bit. Burty | ||
| Louise McCutcheon |
OK I'll stand up and admit it. I don't know what the difference between an extended trot and a medium trot is. And what is a working trot with the horse stretching it's frame? Isn't that a medium trot? And have we lost collection altogether? I understand collected, working and extended. All of which are vital in the cones arena and in marathon obstacles. And out on the road. But I'm sorry, I don't understand medium. Is there a small and large? Please can someone explain, in drivers' language! | ||
| Dilys Gordon |
GERONIMO! (I love your 'username') Thanks for the backing - it is so scarey starting a new link. Hopefully now, one and all are going to be questioning these movements and even the basic ones, as they all have a correct way to be performed. Even at Olympic level, dressage only requires walk, trot and canter but it is the quality of the movement which gains the marks. Please let's have more training for drivers and judges so we're all working from the same hymn sheet. Judges, please be looking for the good and reward. Too many years have been spent only criticising and giving negative marks. Dilys Gordon | ||
| Marilyn Harding |
How i agree Dilys, one step further, would be give and retake of the reins in TROT and CANTER, I would bet if this was introduced, as it should be, to show self- carriage ,balance, and control, a good many would fail on this important exercise!I would add that most of our Judges, and Drivers would'nt know the difference between Medium and Extended Trot!! Ooops!! | ||
| Dilys Gordon |
How brilliant is this? Finally the FEI have introduced a dressage test where the driver now needs to question more the way of going and start to have a better understanding of what is required in the movement. 'Medium' trot has replaced the usual 'extended' trot, 'free' walk is used twice - pity one of these wasn't 'medium' walk - and there is a 40m half circle in working trot where the horse is asked to stretch the frame. Let's hope the judges are attentive to these new moves and that our BHDTA follow suit, broadening the drivers' knowledge, as requested by me at the AGM. Dilys Gordon |