Have you got Rhythm?
HAVE YOU EVER picked up your dressage sheet at the end of a competition and read the words: ‘Losing rhythm on the turn’, ‘lacking rhythm in the medium trot’, ‘loss of rhythm on canter circle’, or something similar? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many riders struggle with rhythm, but there are some simple exercises that you can do to improve it.
What is rhythm?
The word rhythm is derived from the Greek word rhythmos which means ‘measured motion’. You could also describe ‘rhythm’ as the regular reoccurrence, or timing, of a beat. In equestrian terms it relates to the regularity of footfall in any pace.
If your test sheet says you’re ‘losing rhythm in trot through a turn’, it may be because your horse
