WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
• Achieving a perfect contact
• Performing medium canter from A to C
• Leg yielding from the three-quarter line
• Preventing twist in the saddle
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“BECAUSE I HUNT Gunner all winter he develops a very economical canter for that job, but in the dressage arena we need more engagement from behind so I'm hoping to develop that today,” says pupil Kathryn Virjee as she enters trainer Alex Harrison's sand outdoor arena on a blustery grey sky day.
“Gunner also gets slightly lazy when we're doing dressage and he's a bit like a diesel engine — it takes a while to motivate him into action. Additionally, keeping him straight can be a challenge. He gives too much bend, particularly on the left rein, so exercises to straighten him are good for him,” adds Kathryn.
Once she has warmed up her mount, Alex instructs Kathryn to start by circling, and with her outside rein “feel like you can take him forward while keeping that rein, and if you feel like he's hanging on it a bit, flex him to the outside, and also keep your leg on. Be aware, though, that when your leg comes on, he will try to change his frame, but you need to try to keep things the same as they were before, not letting the frame change
