Stretching Trot
71“C- Circle right 20 meters rising trot, allowing the horse to stretch forward and downward. Before C - Shorten the reins.”
If you have ever ridden a lower level dressage test, these directions should sound quite familiar to you. Also familiar perhaps, is the comment on your scorecard for this movement that reads, “needs more stretch.” Let’s discuss the reason for the ‘stretchy circle,’ how to achieve it, and how stretching fits into dressage as a whole.
The reason that the stretching movement is incorporated into US Equestrian Federation training and first level tests, is to show that the horse has been working properly over his back. When a horse is through, front to back, his topline is relaxed and round and his hind quarters are working under him. You will notice that the stretchy circle movement occurs towards the end of the test. The stretchy circle is designed to show if the horse has been going correctly in his work throughout the test. Contact is necessary to work a horse properly back to front. When the contact is released, a horse that has been using his back and hind end well will stretch downward, ‘reaching’ for the contact.
Ideally, when the contact is released, the horse will seek the contact and stretch to the bit. Therefore, when the stretchy circle is performed, the rider should not give so much rein that there is a loop, or slack in the rein. She should give as much rein as the horse will take up in his stretch. To help encourage the horse to stretch more, after the rider lengthens the reins, she can take up a little bit of contact again for a moment to remind the horse of connection. Then slowly release again asking the horse to follow the rein out further. Dropping your hands lower to encourage stretch may help, but be careful not to pull down stiffly with your hands. Not only will this possibly create tension resulting in your horses head coming higher, it may be quite obvious that you are begging for the stretch that is not there. The horse must be worked over his back first, to show a proper stretch.
To encourage stretch forward, the horse must be stepping into the contact as in all dressage work. In both the stretching trot circle as well as the free walk, the horse must be relaxed in his back and stepping under. If the horse gets behind your leg at all in these movements, sucking back, his nose will not stretch out. Focus on making him swing his legs forward. Imagine you are on a long stretch of beach going somewhere. The trot must be forward, but not running. Pay attention to the rhythm of the trot keeping it the same regardless of the rein length.
When you gather up your reins at the end of your twenty meter stretching circle, your horse should willingly come back into a frame. Some horses tend to be ‘rude’ about stretching: they will pull the rein out of your hand somewhat as you release the contact, or even root out with their head. To school this, only let out as much rein as the horse will take softly, if he tugs with his head, close your hand and do not let him dictate the rein length. A horse that is properly stretching will softly come together as the reins are shortened. Pay attention to how willingly your horse accepts the increased contact. If he is resistant to coming back and pulls down at all as you shorten the reins, practice this transition until he steps into whatever rein length you designate.
To achieve a successful stretch in the rising trot circle movement, first, your horse must be working correctly over his back in his collected work, second must ‘seek’ the contact as you release it, stepping forward into it and third come back willingly as you shorten the reins. This wonderful lower level movement sets the ground work for good connection and relaxation in the topline for future upper level movements. The same concepts of thoroughness, stretch and self carriage carry through all levels.
Danica Yates is a sporthorse trainer in the Portland, Oregon area. FEI and European experience, four years private training with Olympian Debbie McDonald. Training, lessons and board are available. Call (503)278-1112 or visit www.danicayates.com for more information.
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