Flatwork / Dressage
Intermediate
30 min
Flying Change on the Diagonal at the Collected Trot
Focus: Transitions, Balance, Collection
Equipment: Letter markers
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Establish a balanced collected trot on the left lead. Collect for 3-4 strides to prepare.
- Turn across the diagonal. Maintain the left lead until you pass X.
- After X, straighten the horse completely for 1-2 strides.
- Apply the new outside leg (left leg) behind the girth while shifting your weight slightly to the new inside seat bone.
- The horse should change both front and hind legs in a single stride. This is a clean flying change.
- If the horse only changes in front (late behind), return to collected trot and try again later.
- Practice 2-3 changes per session maximum. Quality over quantity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Asking for the change too early before the horse is straight.
- Late behind — the horse changes the front legs but not the hind legs in the same stride.
- The horse becoming tense and running after the change.
- The rider throwing their body or swinging their legs dramatically to ask for the change.
Variations & Progressions
- Practice changes on the center line at specific letters for precision.
- Work toward tempi changes (every 4 strides, every 3, every 2, every stride).
- Ride a figure-eight with flying changes at X.
Tip: A good flying change looks effortless. If it looks dramatic, something in the preparation was missing. Go back to simple changes and try again.
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