This is repeated in the opposite direction. Tracking left - A down the centreline, D-R leg yield right. Level 1 Test 4: C track right M-X leg yield right, X-F leg yield left In this case the leg yield is immediately after the starting centreline. Both directions of the leg yield are addressed so it is only performed once. Plan a 10-metre half circle from the centreline, through the corner, and finishing 1 metre before M. As soon as the half circle brings you to the track, put the horse into a slight counter bend using the left rein and leg. Turn your head to look just before X on the centreline. Begin to leg yield to that point. Left leg press and release and right leg maintaining straightness and forward. Plan to reach the centreline just before X so that as you move through X ask for a stride of straightness, then ask for the right bend to leg yield back to the walk. Right leg press and release, while left leg maintains straightness and forward. To maintain straightness through any of these leg yield variations you can imagine that your horse is sandwiched between two sheets of plywood or plexiglass. You are moving the whole sandwich over and forward. If your horse feels reluctant to move laterally sideways check that your weight is shifted in the direction of travel and not where the pushing leg is. For example to leg yield right, shift weight slightly to the right, while asking the horse to move over from the left leg. Imagine giving someone a piggy back ride… if they shift to the right, you will try to get under their weight. The horse goes where our weight goes. At the end of each line your horse will be set up to ride into the corner as they will already be bent around your inside leg. After you pass the last letter turn your body more for the corner and use the inside leg to keep the horse bending through the turn. If the test is ridden posting the leg yield cues will ask for over on the sit beat and forward as the rider rises. Enjoy practicing these variations and see your scores improve as your accuracy, straightness, and lateral movements improve! If you are unsure of where you are heading, it is always a good idea to connect with a coach that knows the sport you want to prepare for. We (Lisa and Birgit) are both
available for online and in-person lessons. Be sure to send your questions to nancyroman@saddleup.ca as we will answer another reader’s question next month.
Two examples of correct leg yields. The horse is crossing over nicely and has a slight bend around the rider’s pushing leg.
“Alberta” (Otter B Jet), a 16-year-old APHA mare, ridden by Birgit Stutz. Photo credit: Shayla Dunkel Lisa Wieben’s passion is empowering women in becoming confident and healthy riders. As an Energy Medicine Practitioner and Clinical Somatics Practitioner she addresses pain, tension, hormones, stress, and the issues that appear as a result. As a Centered Riding Instructor and Irwin Insights Master Level 7 Trainer she works with riders incorporating awareness exercises both on and off the horse. Balance the rider, balance the horse! Book a clinic that incorporates all the modalities! www.somaticrider.com
“Reno” (Itsa Rio Snazzy Zip), a Quarter Horse gelding, ridden by Lisa Wieben. Photo credit: Rebecca Wieben As an Irwin Insights Level 6 Master Certified trainer and coach, Birgit Stutz helps riders of all levels and backgrounds advance their horsemanship skills by developing personal and situational awareness, focusing on indepth understanding of equine behaviour, body language, psychology and biomechanics. Driven by her passion for both equine welfare and performance, Birgit believes that facilitating effective communication between horse and rider is an approach that fulfills our responsibilities to the horse and elicits great results. www.fallingstarranch.ca.
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SEPTEMBER 2021
SADDLEUP.CA • 19
