Saturday Sessions 1.3

Directions:
Start on a 20 meter circle (either direction at any gait). When you hit the long side of the arena, half pass to center line.

More advanced versions:
Steepness of the line, add zig zag in the half pass.

Why?:
While a 10 meter circle will set you up for half pass, a 20 meter circle will test if you can change the degree of bend to match the line and how well can you adhere to riding on the line as well without compromise.

Saturday Sessions 1.2

Directions:
Pick a gait and start on the center line. Half circle 10 m to the right, sharp turn to the left, short diagnol, half circle to the left and halt at X.

More advanced versions:
Smaller half circles. Random transitions. Add lengthening/medium/extension on the diagnol. Add half steps on the circle. Add flying lead change, simple change if going in the canter. Counter canter on half circle and pirouette on the turns.

Why?:

I love center line work. You don't have the cheat of the rail to keep straight. It also has a degree of risk about working in the open.

But working center lines can be boring, tedious, and not always productive. By incorporating the two half circles (ala first level test two), you test straightness and flexibility. The second circle especially sets up for the halt at X. The short diagnol leaves a lot of options open, initially use it to teach balance on long lines, bu work toward develop lengthenings and later add to it for the flying or simple change.

Saturday Sessions 1.1

Directions:
Pick a place in the arena along the wall. Begin a slightly small(er) 8 meter circle and at the top of the circle half pass steeply back onto the wall. Go straight. Begin second 8 meter circle and repeat.

More advanced versions:
Use the short side and fewer steps. Add passage, turn on the haunch and pirouettes. 

Why?:
Due to the size of the preparatory circle, it makes the horse rock back into more of a turn on the haunch and automatically positions for a steExcellent tool to teach the horse to turn on the haunch without loosing energy or impulsion.

Furthermore, it teaches the horse also a more refined outside rein aid. Teaches the rider about what the good turn on the haunch feels in addition to building up the gaskins and the haunch without going over kill on the pirouette work. 

Saturday Sessions 1.0

I've had some specific requests for exercises that I do under saddle with the ponies. I'll try to post them on Fridays so those who want to try can work on them Saturday.  All the credit goes to Sharon Vander Zeal who comes up with the most interesting work during for my Saturday Session with her.

Apologies in advance for my lack of MS Paint skills. I'll improve later, promise!

This is the exercise I mentioned a week prior and felt it was a good place to start. I left the arena unmarked simply because the majority of the work can be done symmetrically and at all three gaits.

Directions:
Start at the center line, shoulder in two steps, half pass three, straighten then leg yield two then shoulder in again. Switch bend, half pass, straight, leg yield, shoulder in. You should end up in the corner, where I let Sinari stretch down.

More advanced versions: 
leave out the shoulder in, add steeper lines, add/subtract steps in half pass/leg yield.

Why?:
Teach the zig zag and quicken the changes of bend without drilling one particular movement. It also makes the rider very aware of what they're doing in the saddle and quicken them up to that bend change.