2 centerlines in every test you will ever ride!

I’m going to give you a little fact, there are two centerlines in every dressage test from Training level to Grand Prix! Now, I want to ask you a question, how often do you practice your centerlines? We all want to practice the new and exciting movements of the test, which we should, but there will always be two basic and boring centerlines in every dressage test of your career. These two centerlines relate to two scores in your test ranging from a 0 to a 10, so maybe we should spend some time scoring on the higher side of this scale. 

In the training level test you are either a green rider or you are on a green horse, practice riding a straight line by focusing on a point directly in front of you and not taking your eye off that point. Imagine you are squeezing a tube of tooth paste to this point and this will help keep you holding the horse straight between your hands and legs. Once you are able to hold your horse on this straight line start adding a transition to the walk on this line while not taking your eye off that focal point, next add in the halt. Don’t collapse your body in the halt and don’t take your eye off that focal point. If your horse shifts left or right in the halt simply walk forward and try again until he halts square. Be careful not to start an argument during the halt or allow the horse to back up because you want the horse to feel comfortable and quiet while at the halt. During the halt take a deep breath and take a moment to relax. After you have the straight line and halt under control move to the turn onto the centerline. Practice turning onto the centerline from both directions, pay attention to which way is easier to make the turn and which way you have less drift. The easier direction should be the direction you will start your test from because you will hit the centerline straighter and feel more confident. At fourth level the test requires you to enter at a canter and come to a halt. It’s important to know which canter lead its easier to keep your horse straight in with out an accidental flying lead change. Practice is key! Practice cantering straight lines to know which lead is easier to collect and keep straight with out throwing an occasional lead change in. The straighter and more collected your canter is the more balanced and square the halt will be. Don’t forget to not take your eye off that darn focal point. From your first Training level ride to your last Grand Prix ride those centerlines will be in every test of your career, take the time to master them.