🎯 Dressage Exercise: Mastering the Centre Line with Rhythm and Precision

The aim of this exercise is simple but crucial: ride down the centre line and turn left or right without losing rhythm.

This is a great exercise to improve test riding accuracy, straightness, and balance — all while developing your ability to prepare transitions and turns with purpose and control.

✅ Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Before You Turn onto the Centre Line As you approach your turn to the centre line, look toward C to prepare. Turn from the waist — start by turning your head, then allow your upper body to follow, keeping your shoulders square throughout.

2. Hands and Posture Keep your hands together and aligned with your hips. Avoid letting one hand drop as you turn — your contact and rein length should remain even and steady.

3. Use Counting to Maintain Rhythm As you ride, count “1, 2, 3, 4” in your head to maintain rhythm. This works beautifully to keep both horse and rider balanced and consistent.

4. Approaching X Just after X on the centre line, start looking at your next turn (left or right). Begin to rotate your body so that by the time you reach C, your horse is already prepared to turn.

5. During the Turn Keep counting “1, 2, 3, 4” in your head to maintain rhythm. As you turn, begin preparing for your next move.

6. Return to A Head back to A using any movement of your choice — a change across the diagonal, a 3-loop serpentine, or whatever fits your schooling plan.

7. Repeat in Both Directions Repeat the exercise turning both left and right, always prioritising rhythm and straightness. Remember: don’t lose the rhythm!