4 shallow loops at the Trot.
Shallow loops are a wonderful way of suppling the back through gentle changes of bend, be sure to take a stride or two of straight as you cross the center-line and make sure that you keep the loops shallow, no more than 3 – 4 meters each side of the center-line.
For this exercise I find it helpful not to change posting diagonal every time I cross the center-line, in a small school that change of bend occurs quite quickly and sometimes it is best to try to maintain a steady rhythm rather than change diagonals and loose that rhythm.
Since you will be starting the loops from the F corner on the right rein, stay on that posting diagonal until you get to X, change there and then continue the next two loops on that diagonal, when you get to the 10m circle in the green cone corner by H on the left rein you will once again be on the correct diagonal.
4 Shallow Loops down the Center-line.
From your 10m circle in the blue cone corner at F, straighten and go just past A slightly bending to the right.
Ride your 1st loop 3 – 4 meters to the left of the center-line so that you pass through the 2 orange cones located on the center-line 10 meters from A. Try to look at and head towards the single orange cone in front of B straightening as you near the center-line and then change rein as you cross the center-line slightly bending left. Remember, do not change posting diagonal yet!
Ride your 2nd loop 3 – 4 meters to the right of the center-line so that you pass through X. Try to look at and head towards the letter H, straightening as you near the center-line at X and then change rein as you cross the center-line slightly changing the bend to the right. Now, change your posting diagonal.
Ride your 3rd loop 3 – 4 meters to the left of the center-line so that you pass through the 2 red cones located on the center-line 10 meters from C. Try to look at and head towards the yellow cone in the corner near M straightening as you near the center-line and then change rein as you cross the center-line slightly bending left. Again, dont change posting diagonal yet.
Ride your fourth and final loop 3 – 4 meters to the right of the center-line so that you finish up at the letter C.
Now go large on the left rein and make a 10m circle in the green cone corner by H.
Proceed to the next exercise, 2 shallow loops down the long side.
Read More Pages in this Dressage Training Article.
- Warming Up at the Trot, Riding 10 meter Circles
- Warming Up at the Trot, Shallow Loops down the Long Side
- Warming Up at the Trot, Ride 4 Shallow Loops Up the Center Line
- Warming Up at the Trot, Ride 2 Shallow Loops down the Long Side
- Warming Up at the Trot, Leg Yield Right to Half Pass Right
- Warming Up at the Trot, Leg Yield Left to Half Pass Left
- Warming Up at the Trot, Leg Yield In, Half Pass Back