Resources

Here you will find course maps, notes and any other useful material

Week 1

    • Use anywhere from 4 to 6 trot poles, depending on the arena size.

    • Set the distance from the trot poles to the cavaletti anywhere from 80 to 110 feet to create an oval shape.

    • You can substitute trot poles for cavaletti; the distance will still work the same.

    • You could definitely spread the exercises over the week

    • For nervous horses, walk them through and over the poles in warm-up to ease initial tension.

    • Walk Hexagons: Transition from a circle to a hexagon or combine both. You do not have to stay purely on one shape, you can adjust based on the horses’ reaction

    • Trot Serpentines: Start with simple loops, gradually adding more with slow bend changes for balance.

    • Canter Transitions: Practice consistent transitions on a circle, taking your time to establish rhythm and control.

    • Trot Poles on a Curve: Introduce poles by walking first, building rhythm before adding them in at trot. You can go around them or inside them if you feel like the horse does not yet have a suitable trot rhythm on any given attempt.

    • Cavaletti Bounce: Start with poles on the ground or low settings, establish a canter rhythm, then add bounces.

    • Combination: Progress to combining trot poles and cavaletti on the same circle as the horse builds confidence.

    • Walk Hexagons: Use smaller hexagons with alternating steeper and softer turns for precision and control.

    • Trot Serpentines: Add more loops and steeper bend changes to refine transitions and rhythm.

    • Canter Transitions: Practice quicker, precise transitions between gaits at varied points on the circle for responsiveness.

    • Cavaletti Bounce: Gradually raise cavaletti heights, maintaining rhythm and energy.

    • Combination: You can add smaller circles that turn within the exercise in between the trot poles and cavaletti. Example - trot poles on the right rein, then 12 meter circle right, canter transition then return to main circle, jump through cavaletti, then 12 meter circle right, trot transition the return to main circle, then repeat.

Week 2

    • Adjust the number of trot poles based on your arena size and the horse's experience level.

    • Modify the distance between the two Cavaletti in the tunnel, extending it to create one, two, or even three strides.

    • Substitute the outside Cavaletti with straight poles if needed, as this won’t significantly alter the exercise.

    • Break the exercise into smaller sections to allow the horse to master each part before combining them.

    • Gradually introduce complexity, ensuring the horse builds confidence and rhythm throughout the exercise.

    • Break the exercise up into distinct parts

    • Begin with trot poles and outside cavaletti. If the cantering makes them tense incorporate circles and transitions

    • You can space the one stride to 2 or three strides to make it less confined.

    • Trot serpentines can have more loops and bigger expectations within the half halts

    • You can start laying down the ground walk for simple changes through walk on the canter serpentines

    • When joining the whole figure 8 exercise together, work at correct changes of lead when changing direction through the 1 stride

Week 3

    • Focus on Rhythm First – Keep a steady rhythm in all lateral work before asking for more difficulty or precision.

    • Keep the Leg Yield Gradual – Start with a shallow angle and increase the difficulty as the horse gains confidence.

    • Stay Soft in the Hands – Allow the horse to move laterally without restricting forward energy.

    • Use open rein - to help land on the correct lead

    • Ride the Straight Lines with Intent – Before and after lateral movements, ensure the horse is truly straight to reinforce correct alignment.

    • Start with Walk Leg Yields – Allow the horse to understand the concept before moving into trot.

    • Keep the Y-Pattern Simple – Use poles instead of jumps and ride through at the trot before adding difficulty.

    • Give Extra Time in the Transitions – Allow the horse to rebalance when moving between lateral work and straight lines.

    • Encourage Relaxation – Praise the horse for small improvements, especially in maintaining rhythm and direction.

    • Break the Exercises into Pieces – Don’t expect perfect execution; introduce one element at a time and build confidence.

    • Increase the Lateral Angle – Ask for more crossover in leg yields to refine suppleness and response to aids.

    • Ride the Y-Pattern More Technically – Land from the cavaletti and immediately establish a correct lead and balanced turn.

    • Adjust the Tempo – Play with collecting and lengthening the stride within the lateral work to test engagement.

    • Ride the Leg Yields in Canter – For a more advanced challenge, introduce a canter leg yield to reinforce straightness.

Week 4

    • Prioritize Straightness Before Adjustability – Ensure the horse is traveling straight before asking for stride length adjustments to maintain balance.

    • Use Your Seat More Than Your Hands – Encourage stride length changes through seat and leg aids rather than relying on the reins.

    • Make Adjustments Gradual – Avoid abrupt stride changes; smoothly build or shorten the stride to maintain rhythm and relaxation.

    • Use the Exercises to Feel Your Horse’s Balance – Pay attention to how your horse reacts when lengthening or shortening strides—are they staying engaged or getting tense?

  • Keep Stride Adjustments Subtle – Focus on small lengthening and shortening efforts rather than drastic changes.

    Use Transitions for Engagement – Incorporate walk-trot and trot-walk transitions in trot rectangles before progressing to canter exercises.

    Allow Extra Time in Spirals – Make the spiral in and out at canter slow and steady so the horse stays relaxed.

    Encourage Relaxation Over Precision – A looser, relaxed frame is more important than perfect adjustability at this stage.

    • Fine-Tune Response to Aids – Work on achieving immediate and precise adjustability without losing balance.

    • Introduce Stride Adjustments Over Poles – Use the cavaletti exercise to test how quickly the horse can shorten or lengthen within a set distance.

    • Ride Leg Yield Zig-Zags with More Power – Focus on keeping the forward energy while moving laterally to refine engagement.

    • Challenge Adjustability in Canter – Adjust between collected and medium canter within the spiral exercise for maximum control and balance.

Week 5

    • Focus on Balance First – Ensure your horse stays balanced before asking for tighter turns or quicker transitions.

    • Keep the Rhythm Consistent – Whether in flatwork or jumping, maintain a steady tempo to improve coordination.

    • Use Your Aids Clearly – Half-halts will help with smooth transitions and preparing your horse for changes in direction.

    • Look Ahead in Turns – In S bend and linked jumping patterns, your eyes and upper body should lead the horse smoothly into the next movement.

    • Ride Larger Circles First – Start with 20m trot and canter circles before progressing to smaller, more controlled turns.

    • Introduce Bounces Slowly – If the horse is new to bounces, begin with poles or low cavaletti to build confidence.

    • Take Your Time in Half Turns – Allow the horse to understand the movement before asking for sharper turns.

    • Use Simple Transitions – Focus on trot-walk-trot transitions before adding more precise canter-trot transitions.

    1. Challenge Adjustability in Transitions – Aim for crisp, balanced trot-canter and canter-trot transitions on circles.

    2. Tighten Turns Gradually – In jumping exercises, work towards maintaining rhythm and impulsion through tighter turns.

    3. Use the Bounces for Quick Reactions – Encourage the horse to engage their hind end by keeping the energy forward through the bounce line.

    4. Increase Complexity in Linked Patterns – Add transitions within the figure-eight jumping exercise to test balance and control.

Week 6

    • Focus on Relaxation First – Keep the exercises smooth and controlled to develop strength without tension.

    • Use Your Aids Subtly – Clear, quiet aids will improve adjustability and responsiveness.

    • Maintain Forward Energy in Transitions – Whether lengthening or collecting, keep the energy consistent.

    • Keep Your Eyes Up in the Cloverleaf – Look ahead to set up the turns before reaching each jump or cavaletti.

    • Walk Diagonals: Focus on Straightness – Allow extra time for transitions between free walk and medium walk to help maintain relaxation and forward energy.

    • Trot Leg Yields: Keep the Angle Shallow – Start with minimal sideways movement and increase the difficulty as the horse gains confidence.

    • Canter Loops: Keep It Shallow – Ride a more open, shallow loop at canter to prevent loss of balance and keep the rhythm steady.

    • Cloverleaf Pattern: Start with Poles or Cavaletti – If your horse is green, introduce the pattern with poles before progressing to jumps, focusing on smooth turns and rhythm.

    • Walk Diagonals: Add Transitions Within Gaits – Incorporate a slight lengthening and shortening of the stride in medium walk to refine control.

    • Trot Leg Yields: Increase Steepness and Engagement – Ask for more crossover in the hind legs and maintain steady forward energy through the S-bends.

    • Canter Loops: Play with Adjustability – Shorten and lengthen strides within the loop while maintaining straightness and balance.

    • Cloverleaf Pattern: Tighten the Turns – Ride a more direct track between fences, staying balanced and light in the hand to refine precision.

Week 7

    • Stay Relaxed in the Walk Zigzags – Use steady leg pressure and soft hands to keep the movement fluid.

    • Teardrops into Shoulder-In: Ride the Line First – Ensure straightness before adding the bend into shoulder-in.

    • Keep the Canter Circles Consistent – In the rubber band exercise, maintain the same size circle while adjusting stride length.

    • Set Up Your Turns Early – In the figure-eight jumping pattern, look ahead and plan your turns before reaching each pole or fence.

    • Simplify the Walk Zigzags – Start with gentler angles and progress to sharper movements as the horse gains confidence.

    • Ease Into the Teardrop Turn – Ride the diagonal line first before adding a full half-circle back.

    • Rubber Band Canter: Small Adjustments First – Ask for slight lengthenings and shortenings before making bigger changes.

    • Start with Just One Direction in the Figure-Eight – Focus on maintaining rhythm through one direction before adding the full pattern.

    • Refine the Leg Yield in Zigzags – Ask for more crossover and adjust the speed of the movement to improve control.

    • Teardrop to Shoulder-In: Add Collection – Ask for more engagement and balance before beginning the shoulder-in.

    • Challenge the Rubber Band Canter – Work toward clearer, quicker adjustability while keeping lightness in the contact.

    • Tighten the Figure-Eight Turns – Ride a more direct track while maintaining control and balance in lead changes.

Week 8

    1. Focus on Straightness First – Before adding circles, ensure your horse is truly straight down the quarterline.

    2. Keep the Leg Yield Smooth – In the zigzag, prioritize steady rhythm over excessive sideways movement.

    3. Ride the Triangle with Balance – Keep an even stride between jumps, maintaining a soft connection through turns.

    4. Look Early in Turns – In both flatwork and jumping, turn your head and shoulders early to set up a smooth track.

    • Widen the Leg Yield Angle – Start with gentler leg yield lines and increase the difficulty as the horse gains confidence.

    • Use Larger Circles in the Quarterline Challenge – Stick to 18m circles in trot and 20m in canter until the horse maintains balance.

    • Trot Through the Triangle First – If your horse is green to jumping, begin by trotting the pattern to establish rhythm.

    • Allow Extra Time for Lead Changes – If your horse struggles with flying changes, trot the transition before resuming canter.

    1. Increase Circle Precision – Ride clear 15m and 10m trot circles, and 18m–12m canter circles without loss of straightness.

    2. Test Stride Adjustability – Lengthen and shorten the canter stride while staying on the quarterline.

    3. Fine-Tune Your Turns – Use minimal rein and rely on seat and leg aids for smooth, efficient turns between fences.

Week 9

    • Ride the Diamond with Precision – Use arena markers to keep your figure-eight geometry accurate and balanced.

    • Use Your Seat for Canter Adjustability – Let your seat guide the extension and collection without overusing the reins.

    • Warm Up Thoroughly Over Singles – Before linking the lines, make sure you and your horse are confident over each element.

    • Prioritize Straightness in Combinations – Keep your focus ahead and support evenly with your legs through each line.

      • Keep Transitions Simple in the Diamond – Use walk-trot or trot-walk only, and take your time to stay balanced.

      • Ride a Softer Canter “J” – Don’t push for full extension; think about forward but still rideable canter.

      • Use Poles Instead of Jumps if Needed – Build confidence over ground poles before raising to cavaletti or jumps.

      • Focus on One Line at a Time – Don’t rush to link all three—ride one line calmly, then gradually add more.

    • Add Transitions Within Gaits – Try bigger to smaller trot or canter steps through the diamond pattern for extra finesse.

    • Make the Canter “J” More Dynamic – Really test adjustability by lengthening down the long side and collecting tightly on the circle.

    • Tighten the Turns Between Lines – Keep rhythm while riding more efficient tracks through the combinations.

    • Link the Full Course with Precision – Ride the 5-stride, 3-stride, and 2-stride together with a focus on balance, timing, and straightness.

Week 10

    • Treat Practice Like the Real Thing – Ride your dressage test and jump course as if you’re in the ring.

    • Focus on Accuracy Over Perfection – Geometry and clear transitions matter more than flash.

    • Warm Up Intentionally – Prepare your horse mentally and physically before riding the full test or course.

    • Reflect on the Series – Notice improvements in your horse’s rhythm, balance, and rideability.

    1. Break the Test into Sections – Ride it in parts before stringing it together for confidence and clarity.

    2. Keep Jumps Low and Inviting – Prioritize flow and relaxation over height or technical difficulty.

    3. Take Walk Breaks – Give mental resets between exercises to keep the horse relaxed.

    4. Celebrate Progress – Even small improvements in straightness or rhythm are big wins at this stage.

    1. Polish the Details – Focus on halt accuracy, centerline straightness, and crisp transitions in the test.

    2. Tighten Your Lines in the Course – Ride more efficient turns and stride adjustments where needed.

    3. Simulate Show Conditions – Ride in full gear, with letters or timers if available.

    4. Ride with Intent – Use this week to sharpen precision and prepare mentally for competition season.