KXM Change rein working canter Between X and M Working trot

This is a very common movement in tests and looks so easy and simple. It is easy to do badly, not quite so easy to do well..

This is a very popular movement in tests and looks so easy and simple. It is easy to do badly, not quite so easy to do well.. We’re looking for a quality canter that’s well balanced, round, connected and straight. There should be a powerful yet loose ‘rippling of muscle’ through the body of the horse with rhythmical strides of even length passing through X, then a seamless, fluent transition half way between X and M. We finally assess the quality of the trot before he hits the track at M, so this needs to be good to get the top marks as well.

What we do not want to see….

Corner AK - The corner cut, unbalanced, shoulder falling in, hollowing/resisting, breaking. K to X – Breaking, hollowing/resisting, on forehand, strides lengthening / shortening, tightening over the back. Transition to trot – Against the hand, unbalanced, swinging quarters, hollowing/resistant, abrupt, early or late transition.

Trot to M – Unbalanced (usually on forehand) trot, losing connection, hollowing/resisting, tightening over the back, swinging quarters, poor quality strides.

Tips include… - Ride deeply into the corner with clear right bend through the body, maintaining the balance and connection, then half halt and straighten as you come off the track exactly at K.

- Breathe and focus on the quality of the canter, ensuring that the strides are even, the speed/momentum is constant and that the frame of the horse is not too long, yet not too tight, but is round, connected and above all is in self carriage.

- Ensure that your canter does not alter as you canter through and past X. (So many competitors’ heave’ on the reins at X and the horse ‘falls’ onto trot).

- So having passed X, take a positive half halt to balance and shift weight onto the hocks with the horse remaining round, and “This is the KEY point”, if you can perform a well balanced and smooth transition exactly between X and M, then you stand a very good chance of a very high mark, because IT’S RARE to see.

- To finish off the movement, half halt again as soon as you are in trot and ensure you get some ‘quality’ steps of trot with the horse working through a supple back into an elastic contact in a round outline.

- Breathe, use soft eyes and focus on the next movement!!

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