Schooling First Level, Test 3

Holy freaking heck, but am I tired of this test. I have decided that after the next two shows, I am done with First Level. There is nothing more that I can get out of it. With that said, I do want to finish strong. On Wednesday, best friend and I loaded both boys and headed to Moorpark for lessons with Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables.

I took my last two tests with me as a reference for Chemaine. Rather than learn any new exercises, all I wanted to do was school the tougher movements of test 3. After discussing the judge's scores and comments, we decided to address three main areas - the leg yield, the 10-meter circles, and the canter work (15-meter circles, lengthening, and single loop).

Leg Yield

In Test 3, the leg yield goes from one corner to the centerline (leg yield right) and after a moment of straightness in the center (X), the rider leg yields back to the rail (leg yield left). 

I have two trouble spots on the leg yield. First, It takes me too long to get the left bend for the leg yield right, and second, I lose the shoulder. To help me fix this, Chemaine gave me a "process" for keeping my wet noodle of a horse packaged up better.

• In the deepest part of the corner (A/K) change the bend so that the horse is slightly counter bent as he comes out of the corner. This way the horse is already bent away from the direction of travel.
• DON'T look in the direction of travel. Instead look to the inside, in my case, toward E.
• Think shoulder in to keep from losing the shoulder.
• Leg yield to X, BUT leave some time to straighten the horse.
• If the horse is hanging on the right rein (SPEEDY!), bend right and do a10-meter circle at X/B/X, and then leg yield to H while looking at C or M.
• Do not let the shoulder fall to the rail. Correct this with the outside rein by shortening the stride in front.

You can see from the video that if I can keep him put together, our leg yield could earn a nice 7.0.

10-Meter Trot Circles

Our circles aren't bad, but it is an area where I know we can again earn 7.0s. My issues are not getting an inside bend to the right, slamming into the halt, and not getting enough energy to the left.

To help with this section of the test, Chemaine had me think of several things.

• For the first circle to the right, I need to half halt in the corner and think shoulder in as we come to R. I need to GET the right bend and then maintain it by asking for it over and over. ​
• As we come down the long side, keep thinking shoulder in with energy.
• When we turn right at B, KEEP THE BEND.
• Instead of slamming into the halt, half halt and then give him 1 or 2 steps to balance into the halt. I also need to ask him to stand for a really long time at home, and then pat him.
• As we turn left at E, think shoulder in to V.
• For the left circle, push him forward, and then turn. Push and turn. Push and Turn. This should help with with the needs more energy problem.

Canter Work

Our canter work isn't bad, and we're already getting scores of 6.5 and 7.0, but I think we can get 7.5s or even an 8.0 with just a bit of tweaking.

For the 15-meter canter circles, the rules are the same as for the trot circles.

• To the right, I need to get a bend and keep it. If not, he's going to be too straight.
• To the left, push and turn, push and turn.
• I also need to begin the turns at C and A by watching the quarter line to help with the bend.

For the canter lengthening, I need to ride it a little like the trot lengthening.

• Half halt in the corner and really make him sit. This will show a clearer transition. 
• If I half halt well, the canter will be more uphill and not just quicker.
• At B, both directions, I need to start thinking about having him sit a bit to come back to working canter on time.

For the single loop, the key is a solid half halt in the canter.

It is during the change of lead through trot where I hope to make up the most amount of points. We can change from a left lead to a right with very little effort. Getting him to let go of the right rein is our trouble spot.

To help me fix this, Chemaine had a great series of steps.

• Into the corner, I need to open my outside rein to draw his shoulder out which also gives us inside bend.
• As we leave the corner and straighten, I need to open the right rein and add left leg. This will push his shoulder back over.
• Sit on the left seat bone to get the trot.
• Firm up the new outside rein, soften the inside rein, pick up the left lead canter.

In the video, we got the right to left with no effort but struggled the other way. After a few more attempts, we finally got it. I have to work really hard to push his shoulders to the right for the left lead canter. 

Besides tweaking these movements, Chemaine also encouraged me to keep my chin up, literally. When I curl, Speedy curls! Riding with my chin up will help a lot.

The next show, Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) is in just a week. The changes I am looking to make are all small, but if done correctly, they'll be really effective!