The Art of the Half Pass

By Lynn Palm | http://www.lynnpalm.com/

The Half Pass is the most advanced lateral movement you can train a horse to do. I love the Half Pass; not only is it elegant, it’s also so fun to ride.

To define a Half Pass, the horse moves forward and sideways at the same time. The horse must be bent in the direction of travel, and the movement is done on a diagonal track.

In Traditional Dressage competition you will find the Half Pass either at the collected trot or the collected canter In Western Dressage you will find the Half Pass at the collected jog and the collected lope. In Traditional Dressage the Half Pass is required in the 4th level and continues to the Grand Prix level. In Western Dressage you will find it in Levels 4 and 5.

In order to successfully accomplish the Half Pass, you must respect the ladder of lateral work to train your horse:

1. Yielding

2. Turn on the Haunches

3. Shoulder In

4. Ravers

5. Travers

6. Half Pass

As you advance towards your horse performing the Half Pass, the movement advances by creating more bend through the horse’s entire body, and the steps cover a longer stride laterally in the movement. Lateral movement is a necessity in developing your horse’s correct collection.

The Half Pass is also a great training movement necessary to perform canter pirouettes.

What are the aid sequences necessary to perform a Half Pass?

To create the bend in your horse, it is the same at any level.

• Inside leg aid creates the body of the horse to make an arc.

• The inside rein flexes the head inward, without bending the neck.

• The outside rein lies against the horse’s neck to keep the horse straight and aligned.

• The outside leg encourages the horse to bend the body around the inside leg

• The outside leg asks for the Half Pass movement, while the other aids keep managing the horse in keeping the bend and staying aligned, not allowing the front legs or hind legs to lead and be crooked.

• The horse bends, stays straight in his body, allowing the legs to swing sideways; therefore creating the lateral movement.

I have DVD’s that will help teach your horse all the lateral movements. In Dressage Principles for the Horse and Rider Volume 2, I show all the lateral movements listed above both in a Dressage Saddle and a Western Saddle!

Remember: A horse is a horse. To do the Half Pass movement correctly, it‘s all about the correct position and balance of the horse. The saddle or the breed of the horse does not matter.

Cyril and Lynn offer clinics throughout the country and abroad, as well as online coaching. Join them on their teaching tours or their Palm Equestrian Academy European Journeys.

Please visit http://www.lynnpalm.com/ or follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Palm Equestrian Academy (352) 3627847 or email: generalinfo@lynnpalm.com

2023 Open Horse Shows

June 9, 16, 23 | July 14 | Aug 11 | Sept 1

Greater Thumb Area Silver Buckle Speed Series.

Start: 7pm. Entry booth opens 6pm. MIHA rules apply

June 9 & Sept. 1: Hosts N. Branch Equestrian Team. Contact Marie Curell (810) 614-9390

June 16 & June 23: Hosts Thumb Area Kids & Critters. Jackie (989) 302-0191, email: jd070409@gmail.com

July 14 & Aug 11: Hosts Kingston Equestrian Team. Contact Amy Kotsch (989) 683-3271

BWHA Father’s Day Show June 18th

Blue Water Horseman’s Assoc. Dave (810) 614-2290

Saturday, June 17th

Boots & Bridle 4-H Club Open Show

Great awards! Rosette ribbons 2nd-6th place, extra large rosette for 1st. High point awards for all age groups. Call Amy Kotsch (989) 683-3271

Saturday, June 24th

Tuscola Co. 4-H Horse Leaders Open Show

Trophies & ribbons 1st-6th place. Contact: Jackie (989) 302-0191, email: jd070409@gmail.com

142ND ANNUAL

Saturday, July 1st

Thumb Area Kids & Critters 4-H Club Open Show Contact Jackie Garner (989) 302-0191 or email: jd070409@gmail.com

Tuesdays – July 11 & August 8th

Twilight Pleasure Shows

Start: 7pm. Entry booth opens 6pm. Call Amy Kotsch (989) 683-3271

Saturday & Sunday, August 12th & 13th

Ride For A Cure Benefit Open Show

Held at: HURON CO. FAIRGROUNDS, BAD AXE, MI $5.00 per class. Saturday Speed Classes 9am start Sunday Pleasure Show 9am start. All proceeds to local cancer patients. Purchase t-shirts to be worn as show shirts! Contact Cameron or Peggy Lloyd, email: lloyd_peggy@yahoo.com

JULY 25TH

Carnival Opens at Noon. Kid’s Day: Free T-Shirts (Ltd. qty.)

Reduced Admission ages 2-14. Thumb Truck & Tractor Pull.

JULY 26TH & 27TH

Super Kicker Rodeo

JULY 28TH

Midget Wrestling Warriors Longer Show! More Wrestlers!

JULY 29TH

Unique Motor Sports: Bump & Run, Off-Road Derby & Night of Destruction COMMERCIAL VENDOR’S WELCOME! RENT

JULY 23-29, CARO, MI

Commercial Vendor Space Rental available during the fair

For Midway Hall and Vendor Booth

Specials, Contact: John Riley at: tuscolacountyfair@hotmail.com

Event Rentals: seats up to 200 with A/C and warming kitchen.

Caro, MI(EntranceonM-81,nexttoPizzaHut) www.tuscolacountyfair.org