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10 minute exercise: beat the hourglass
Posted in Flatwork
Put your transitions to the test with our figure of eight exercise

We all get homework from our instructors after a lesson. If you had to name two things yours is always telling you to practise, we bet suppleness and transitions would be on that list nine times out of 10!
This super-speedy figure of eight exercise is perfect to work on these two essential aspects of flatwork at any level – whether you’re only a handful of lessons in or a regular at your local comp venues.
Set it up
You don’t need much for this exercise, just two markers (jump wings, blocks or poles will do). Set them out either side of X so you can ride between them on two 20m circles.
How to ride it
- Ride a 20m circle in walk at one end of the arena and ask your pony to bend to the inside, turning your shoulders to look around the circle, too.
- Start the figure of eight with a half 20m circle towards X.
- As you leave the track after the corner marker, straighten your pony and half-halt to prepare for the transition at X.
- Aim to halt over X and count to three before asking your pony to walk on again.
- Change the bend to the new inside and complete another half 20m circle.
- Perform the whole figure of eight a few times until your pony’s listening carefully to your aids.
Top tip
Make sure you’re achieving the changes of bend and transition to halt before trying at a faster pace.
Toughen up
When you’re ready, you can have a go in trot, walking or halting at X, and then canter with a transition to trot. If you’re walking or trotting over X instead of halting then aim for three to five strides, before asking for an upwards transition to make sure you get a few good quality steps before you move on. Use the poles or markers to help you get the transition exactly over X and to keep your pony straight through the transition.
Top tip
This exercise is handy to help you perfect the aids for canter, because you’ll have to be specific to get the correct lead.
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