Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Walk/Canter Transitions.

This will probably be a "what's the big deal" kinda post to a lot of people but for Steady and I it is a huge success.  We have never had Walk/Canter transitions and to be fair I really have never put much effort into getting them.  I mean I hailed from the Hunter/Jumper world that every horse had that installed along with flying changes but that was years ago and I was not the one who installed said abilities.  Eventing is different, it seems that certain things are added as a progession as you move up levels.  If you never move passed Novice then Walk/Canter transitions are never really required.  So I focus on the things that are required.  Well today I went out with one goal in mind and that was to work at the canter.  I realized that I spend a majority of my time working at the trot.  I never really even thought about that until today.  I need to spend more time cantering.  More time on canter transitions up and down, the quality of the canter and the adjustablity of it.  So that is what I did.  We troted for a brief warm up and then it was on to the canter.  Upward transitions were mostly good with the exception of one in particular.  He was feeling very uphill at all gaits and I thought his walk felt good enough to possibly get a hop into the canter that is needed when transitioning from a walk.  I was right!  He did a walk to canter twice in both directions.  I am quite pleased with my horse today and that makes for a good start to the day!

6 comments:

  1. Hey - it is a big deal to green beans like me and Diva! Congrats!!!

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  2. Walk/canter transitions are definitely a big deal. They are hard to get...and they almost always knock the socks of people who can't get them!! :)

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  3. I'm jealous! Well done you too!

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  4. Awesome! Those are so fun. Cuna and I are working on them (occasionally, when I bother to ride in an arena) right now.

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  5. I think we are mirroring each other again! Who-da-thunk-it but the big girl (me AND Rosie) can do walk/canter canter/halt transitions!

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