Riding Accurate Arena Patterns

Riding Accurate Arena Patterns

By Maribeth Dunlap

September 2007

There are three basis gymnastic tools that a rider can use to train a horse:

1. The seat and aids

2. The movements

3. The arena patterns.

Riding accurate arena patterns is a very important concept to the training of the horse and rider. This is not just a dressage concept either as it is very important to ride corners, turns and straight lines accurately when jumping a course of fences. Riding accurate figures can improve a horse, and conversely, riding willy-nilly, sloppy ring figures can be counter-productive and make the horse worse. Riding a circle accurately, or any figure, for that matter, has great gymnastic value to the horse. It helps to straighten the horse and make him supple and flexible. If you allow the horse to constantly fall out of a circle on a particular spot, you are doing nothing to improve the horse. If you are not able to keep the horse on a particular line, then how are you going to be able to ride a half-pass or shoulder-in? By riding accurate figures you learn to feel what the horse needs and learn to control the shoulders and haunches of the horse. The goal is to be able to ride any transition, any turn, any change of direction anytime and anywhere in the arena that you choose. This way the horse begins to wait and listen more attentively. He expects the unexpected and this actually helps improve his mobility and flexibility.

It is important to discipline yourself to ride accurately. Ride your corners correctly and appropriately for the developmental stage of your horse. Don’t cut your corners as you prepare to change rein across the diagonal. Ride an accurate 20-meter circle and make it round and not oval or pear shaped. Become familiar with the different terminology and different lines and patterns available to you. There really is an endless supply of patterns, which is only limited by your own imagination. Most riders get stuck just using a few and risk getting stuck in the same routine everyday. It is important to keep trying new patterns and even inventing new patterns.

Here is a brief list of some common lines and patterns:

• Half school (E – B line)

• Whole school (following the track around the entire arena)

• Center line (from A – C)

• Quarter line

• Long diagonal (F-X-H, K-X-M)

• Short diagonals (K0B, H0B, F-E, M-E)

• Circles of various sizes

• Figure 8s

• Reversing into the corner

• Reversing out of the corner

• Changing out of the circle

• Changing through the circle

• Single loops

• Double loops

• Serpentines from long side to long side

• Shallow serpentines

• 3-Stride corner turns

These are just a few examples of the more common lines and arena patterns. Be creative and try combining one pattern into another. Don’t be limited to circle; try riding squares or diamonds. Ride a series alternating different shapes and different sizes and with frequent changes of direction and bend.

The important thing is to plan your pattern ahead of time, prepare your horse for the pattern, and most importantly, ride the pattern accurately. The more disciplined you become in riding accurate arena patterns, the more you will improve your horse gymnastically and you will become more aware and better able to feel and to correct the parts of your horse’s body.

This article was written by Maribeth 2007 – All Rights Reserved Used With Permission.