Tip for Medium Trot

Alex's Dressage Tip

Tip for medium trot..

When I first became a judge back in the 90s I was taught that the horse's frame should lengthen from working trot to medium trot and encourage the strides to lengthen. Nowadays we're told that the horse's head can be a little in front of the vertical in medium, and to 'lower the head and neck slightly'.

A really common fault is for horses to tend to the forehand when the frame is allowed to lengthen noticeably and that the hocks trail as opposed to coming under further. So try get longer, more energetic strides with only a little change in outline, keeping the horse connected, round and powerfully in front of the leg.

Always try and ensure we see a difference, avoiding a loss of rhythm / balance, hollowing or hurrying.

Half halt before the marker that the medium starts and make the transition up precisely and fluently at the marker and continue the medium all the way to the marker required, then make a seamless and balanced transition down at exactly the right point.

So sit up, half halt and straighten up, before allowing the quarters to sink a little and power the hind legs under to propel you forwards in a supple, balanced and unconstrained manner.
It's a lovely movement to ride and judge when going well and high marks are easy to give for a powerful, loose and well balanced medium trot.