Rider Tip: How to ride a good corner

Описание: The corner is the tightest turn which the horse can execute on a single track.

It is ridden in three strides of the inside hind leg. The corner forms a quarter of a circle. The smallest volte that the horse can execute on a single track contains therefore 4 x 3 = 12 strides of the inside hind leg.

An effective way of riding good corners with correct bend is to prepare them by applying 2 half halts with the outside rein, when the outside hind leg is on the ground, during the last 2 strides before the corner (1st test of the outside hind leg). In the corner, you can enlarge 2 strides from the inside leg (1st test of the inside hind leg). This transfers the weight away from the inside shoulder and towards the outside pair of legs. It creates the feeling that the inside hind leg is willing to yield to the rider’s inside calf, the rib cage is willing to yield to the inside thigh, and the poll is willing to yield to the inside rein. At the same time, the horse stretches into the outside leg and rein aids.

At the exit of the corner, you can again apply 2 half halts with the outside rein, when the outside hind leg is on the ground (1st test of the outside hind leg). On the horse’s hollow side, it may be more effective to ride the corner in a shoulder-fore position (2nd test of the inside hind leg).


Thomas & Shana Ritter - www.artisticdressage.com
Now located in Portugal, Thomas is an International Clinician and author of "Dressage Principles based on Biomechanics" and "Long Reining: From the Beginning through the Levade" (published by Cadmos Press in both English and German) and countless articles in many publications. Shana is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist. Together they create and orchestrate the Artistic Dressage program.

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