Ahhh number one on the Pyramid of Classical Dressage Training... RHYTHM
So: here's a quick review of what Rhythm is-
Energy, tempo, clear and defined rhythm and correctness throughout all 3 gaits (i.e. A clear and rhythmical 1,2,3,4 walk, even and correct 1,2,1,2 trot and a balanced and clear 1,2,3 canter). Most well bred Warmblood horses these days have a built in "rhythm" and don't require much work in this section; however it should NEVER be overlooked as it is the foundation of this pyramid and will provide the base for all the horses training.
Let's look at component one of Rhythm- Energy!
Energy in a dressage test is SO important. There is nothing worse that having to judge a whole 8 minute test where the horse ambles along in the walk, jogs and stumbles through an inactive trot then proceeds to break numerous times in it's jaunty, four beat canter.
With a young horse and when we warm up the main focus shouldn't be where the horses neck or head is; just how and where the legs are moving beneath us. Is the horse moving forward energetically with forward momentum? If not, then thats the first thing we need to fix!
One tip with a horse that likes to sit behind the leg; a big flapping kick with a loud click at the same time can generally "wake the horse up" and send them forward for a few strides. It's important that when they go forward you keep a steady contact and then leave the horse alone. Sit quietly, rise lightly and evenly and when the horse backs off again, apply leg pressure then repeat the exercise if needed.
By now, you should have a positive and forward energy.
Tempo is also critical if this whole section (Rhythm) is to be acheived and the foundations set strongly. Tempo is the beat and regularity of the given gait. Generally (as the training of the horse progresses) there will be 5 tempo's to each gait: shortened, collected, working, extened and (what I like to refer to as) the 'long' tempo. These can also be called the frames of which a horse works in however [you must remember] a horse can have a shortened tempo but a 'long' frame.
- Shortened: The horse will not have an overstep in the walk or trot and the tempo will be slow, controlled and regular.
- Collected: The horse will have an overstep in walk and trot and a very upbeat and jumpy canter. The tempo is forward, regular and bouncy (full of energy) yet controlled.
- Working: The horse is generally in a longer frame then in the collected and the gaits are long, relaxed, regular, forward and overtracking. The horse is relaxed over the back.
- Extended: The same as working however with more flair and a more defined and upbeat tempo.
- 'Long': More relaxed and steady that Working and with a very long and lopey frame.
Tempo should constantly be reinforced by the rider as a horse with poor tempo cannot have a correct rhythm.
