First Approaches to Flying Changes at the Canter

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Created by Just020723

Type of session

Dressage Medium

Work area

Arena

Necessary equipment

4 Poles

Goal(s)

Learn to change leads at the canter without transitioning to trot / Feel the flying change and whether the horse is on the correct lead, counter-canter, or disunited without looking / Helps maintain the horse/pony’s balance / Useful for both show jumping and dressage

Process

Set up 2 ground poles with 3 canter strides between them on the VR diagonal, as well as on the SP diagonal. Make sure the poles do not interfere with the 15m circles at A and C.
Establish a balanced working canter on the first circle. Ride the chosen diagonal. Over the first pole, apply the aids for the desired canter lead. Use the three strides between the poles to feel if the flying change has occurred. If not, use the second pole in the same way. The final circle allows you to re-establish or maintain a working canter and more easily feel if your horse/pony has changed leads (if the horse has good lateral balance, the change has been made; if the horse feels like it is limping, it is disunited; if the horse has poor lateral balance, the change has not occurred).
If the horse has not changed leads, the circle is also a good place to ask for the change.

Practice this exercise in both directions.