The Pine Tree

 Goal(s) :

Guide over a setup of ground poles

 Process :

Take advantage of the warm-up to walk on the inside track at all three gaits.

This way, we can already check the straightness of our mount.

Riders can also use counter changes of hand to put their horse "between their legs."

What to look for?
➡️ Horse responsive to the legs
➡️ Horse turns with its whole body
➡️ Shoulders in front of the hips

Exercise 1: Pine Tree of Ground Poles at the Trot
Instructions: At the trot, introduce the setup in the easy direction (through the "trunk") and then in reverse.

How to do it?
The rider must position their horse as if on rails, within the corridor of aids (reins symmetrically taut, calves in contact). Look ahead, remain supple in the joints.

What to pay attention to?
➡️ Boldness
➡️ Regularity of the gait (repeats its strides)
➡️ Straightness (in the middle of the points, horse straight)
➡️ Symmetrical rein tension, rider's shoulders and pelvis at the same height

💡 For slightly unstable or tense horses, do not hesitate to favor the balanced position on the stirrups to avoid unnecessary movements.

Exercise 2: Christmas Tree at the Canter
Instructions: Approach the setup at the canter, first in the straightforward direction (easier) and then in reverse (through the point).

How to do it?

Establish the canter at a regular rhythm, ensuring to keep the shoulders in front of the hips to promote straightness, aim for the same contact on both reins, support the outside rein if necessary.
The rider remains balanced over their feet, ensures to stay very supple to accompany the horse's movement, which may take on some bounce.
What to pay attention to?

➡️ Straightness

➡️ Regular cadence

➡️ Rider's balance (body weight evenly distributed on both legs)
💡 The setup in the video is designed with 3m poles. Depending on the horses' stride and work, you can use 3.50m poles.

Exercise 3: Sequence on the Christmas Tree
Instructions
Variant 1:
Once straightness is achieved in a straight line, vary the challenges by alternating with wide and then tighter curves (or vice versa), approaching the triangles from the base (easier) or the point.
For example:
Pine Tree in the easy direction,
Tight curve towards the triangle from the base,
Pine Tree easy direction
Wide curve towards the triangle from the base,
Tight curve towards the triangle from the point
Pine Tree in reverse
The rider must anticipate their path (look, torso orientation), turn with their whole body (thighs in contact, shoulders and pelvis oriented, arms supple) then on both reins (especially the outside rein).


Variant 2:
Add a small directional as a "star" at the top of the tree! The rider must remain balanced, keep suppleness in the lower joints, and guide their horse all the way on two taut reins.

What to look for?
➡️ Rider's anticipation
➡️ Balance over the stirrups: vertical stirrup leathers, suppleness of ankles and knees, pelvis close to the saddle
➡️ Back tone, connection, arm accompaniment
➡️ Fluidity, precision of the path
➡️ Fluidity, precision of the path
➡️ Regular cadence
➡️ Boldness

 Difficulties :

Written in the course