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Post by caies on Aug 7, 2014 9:03:31 GMT
I'm struggling to get a proper gallop out of my gelding during his show. He is well schooled and quick off my leg but doesn't seem to understand the concept. He will gallop on an XC course no problem and in an open field on cue, and I have tried teaching the aids this way, but as soon has he is asked in a smaller arena he seriously lacks impulsion. He has a great medium canted but I don't think this is marked well in hunter classes. Any advice much appreciated - I'm still a showing newbie! Thanks in advance.
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Post by catkin on Aug 7, 2014 9:45:06 GMT
If you have mastered going into gallop in large areas and have the aids established then I would say you need to practice at home in smaller area. This will give your horse confidence to go forward in a more restricted area and also the knowledge that this is a requirement wherever and whenever you ask!
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Post by caies on Aug 8, 2014 7:52:56 GMT
Thanks for your reply, Catkin. I have been trying to push a gallop in the arena, but it's usually a bit nonexistent (more of a flat medium that a proper gallop!) - hopefully that will come with practice. He's 12 and relatively new to the showring, so maybe it's just a strange concept for him at the moment. I will persevere with the small arena, though, thanks again
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Aug 8, 2014 14:26:03 GMT
If you have the standard 20 x 40 arena to work in, perhaps try to find a long arena which is 20 x 60 to start with? I can remember going up to the local jumping yard to remind my mare what a double was like before the first show of the season and having the long arena in the field to play in including practising gallop along the long side.
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Post by caies on Aug 9, 2014 7:29:54 GMT
Thanks for your reply, Sarahp, you make a very good point. It is a standard 20x40 we work in, whereas the field is very large, which is probably adding to to his confusion (plus he's not the brightest spark, bless him!). I'll definitely try hiring a larger arena and see if that makes any difference. Thanks again for your reply.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Aug 9, 2014 7:38:53 GMT
I that case you might need to start with a smaller field!
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Post by bethanyy on Aug 9, 2014 7:59:02 GMT
This is the issue I had with my cob in his RI qualifiers this year, just missing his ticket each time because judges said his gallop let him down.
I was recommended to do lots of hacking, XC, open fields and beach trips to encourage him to actually gallop and teach him the aids associated with galloping. I find that he can turn off in the school so this kept him motivated too as it was something different instead of circles in a sand paddock all of the time.
After giving him time away from schooling I got on him in the paddock one day, asked for the gallop down the long side and he went! His gallop is still much better on a grass surface, purely because I think he feels there is more space to open up, however he has mastered his gallop and picked up his ticket, the judge actually said what an amazing gallop he has. :-)
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Post by caies on Aug 10, 2014 8:51:20 GMT
I thought the same, sarahp! I have sectioned off a section of the field in the corner, running alongside a fence so that it is as similar to a school as possible so I'll see how that goes.
Thanks for your reply, Bethany, your boy sounds identical to mine! He's done quite a bit of dressage/eventing, so I think he associates a field with galloping and an arena with a test. There was a marked improvement yesterday, but I will keep up with the fast work as you suggest and see if that helps further. Great to hear about your boy though - well done!!
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