Fix it Dressage judge Stephen Clarke on introducing your horse to flying changes
The esteemed judge and former competitor gives his tips on how to give your horse the correct start
RIDERS often struggle with the introduction of flying changes. Problems can stem from incorrect training in collected canter and, usually, a lack of activity, balance, straightness and self-carriage — the qualities of collection — within the canter itself.
Often, when a less experienced rider is training their horse to make a flying change, problems can arise through a lack of understanding of the necessary qualities listed above. Once the canter has been improved, any issues are not usually difficult to solve, as long as the rider prepares and positions the horse correctly, and understands how to create the necessary “instant reaction” to the aids, which requires split-second timing.
PREPARE IN ADVANCE
1
Before introducing the flying change, be sure you can make an instant and fluent canter strike-off, to true and counter-canter, from trot or walk on curved and straight lines. Counter-canter should be balanced with a degree of collection. Simple changes must be balanced and straight.
2
Transitions between paces and “gear changes” within the paces are a vital tool to increase your horse’s reaction to a half-halt, which develops activity and balance.
3
Lateral work in the canter (shoulder-fore positioning and half-passes) helps to give you the necessary control and influence over the shoulders and hindquarters, so you can position the horse correctly before asking for a flying change.
4
There are different ways to introduce a flying change, but my preferred method is to change from counter to true canter. If you are, for instance, on the left rein in counter-canter (right fore leading) use the left leg to create activity and put the horse more into the right rein contact. Then ask for a soft positioning to the left with the left rein and give the flying change aid with the right leg, as the horse is about to come off the ground in the moment of suspension.
This is best done on the short diagonal passing over the centre line, as it encourages more activity and collection. The long diagonal may invite your horse to become longer and flatter.
‘Position the horse correctly’