Riding Figures - Part 1

After riding with Leslie Webb, I realized that while I have some theoretical dressage knowledge gained by reading, it is not enough.  Cha Ching's mom and I were laughing over the correct pronunciation of renvers (haunches out) and travers, haunches in.  There, we've both learned something today.  Anyway ... I realized that dressage is not just having a good seat and hands, but it's also about accuracy.  How can I ride a test accurately if I don't know what each figure should look like?  I started web surfing and found this great Wikipedia article on riding the figures.  By great, I mean simple and easy to understand. 

So, here is part 1, straight from Wikipedia ... 

Riding figures are figures performed in a riding arena, usually for training purposes.  Figures may also be performed out in a field or other open area, but a riding arena provides markers that can help indicate the correctness in the size or shape of a figure.

The riding school, showing its centerline from A to C, and two quarterlines.

Ring figures are a valuable training aid, giving the rider feedback as to his horse's training and weaknesses.  A poorly-executed ring figure may point out where the rider is lacking in control, and areas in which the horse needs additional training. For example, when riding down the diagonal, a rider may struggle to keep his horse on the correct path, suggesting issues with straightness.  A poorly performed 20-meter circle may indicate that the horse is not truly between the aids, perhaps falling out through a shoulder, or that the rider is sitting crookedly.

Figures are required components of dressage tests, are used in reining competition, and may also be asked for in equitation classes.  Additionally, jumping courses may often be broken up into riding figures.

It is important to work the horse on figures in both directions, to ensure an equal build of muscle on either side.


End of part 1 ... more to come.

---