QUESTION: In first level there is the change from lengthen canter to working canter. Despite getting a good mark on the lengthen and a good mark on the working canter, I still get "no difference" for the transition between them. What can I do?
Answer submitted by Kerry Petty:
There needs to be a clear transition shown between the gaits. The tests are written so the initial transitions are done from letter to letter giving you time to prepare gradually. As you progress you are expected to do the transition at the letter.
If the lengthening is done correctly allowing the horse to lengthen from behind, then a transition with a half halt to help rebalance will be all that is needed. This half halt should bring the horse further underneath himself but the energy flow which allowed him to lengthen his frame and stride would now be contained.
Many times the judge sees nothing with the horse lengthening past the transition point and somewhere in the next movement the canter changes to a more working canter. Many times this is because the horse has become down hill and rushing in his lengthen canter. Other times the judge sees just a slowing down but the horse is still strung out so a transition to working canter is still not shown.
Practice riding the lengthening on a circle so you lengthen a few steps and then bring the horse back with dropping more weight in your seat and closing of the outside rein. Then you can do just part of the lengthening on the long side with steps centered over E or B. The horse needs to be listening and balanced to achieve this transition.
Kerry Petty
Answer submitted by Sue Hughes:
Start your down transition earlier so that by the end of the long side (whatever letter that will be) you really are back to your most “collected”/most balanced working canter possible.
Of course if you and your horse can do a pretty dramatic transition in 2-3 strides, then do it. The problem is that most first level horses need more time to rebalance themselves. So what judges see is “banking” through the corner and maybe by the second corner in the short end, the horse is more composed.
Usually horses will thrust pretty clearly and strongly into the upward transition. At first level, the lengthening need not be held to its maximum much past B/E, so organizing there and really getting the gait back “under control” all done by the end letter is the better choice.
Sue Hughes