Flying Lead Changes advice needed
One thing I have always struggled with is flying lead changes. I know the theory but have trouble with the timing. I am getting to the point where being unable to do them is costing me points in discipline rail and equitation classes. As I am going to World in four weeks, (PANIC!) I really want to address this. Does anyone have any advice?
I worked with one trainer for 7 to 8 years but switched trainers in Nov 08. I had worked on flying lead changes with the prior trainer and just didn't get very far. We could do beautiful one trot/jog stride simple changes but unless there was a pole or a small fence, I just couldn't do flying changes.
Captain is a 6 year old Saddlebred that I bought when he was three. Because I haven't been confident enough to try flying lead changes he hasn't done them consistently either. Both trainers have done a few with him and he can do them, but he certainly isn't experienced at it.
Last night I worked with my new trainer on it. The one new thing he had me do was count strides so that I would apply the cue at the right moment in Captain's stride. It really seemed to help as I did manage to get a few changes. Right now the cues are greatly exaggerated and I can only do it at a center of a figure eight but it is a start. More than we have ever done before.
I am looking for other ideas that might help me with timing and ways to make them.
What did work:
Counting strides, making me aware of when the inside front leg was down.
Keeping the inside leg completely off of him until asking for the switch so that it is very clear that it is a cue. (He requires LOTS of leg so this will be hard to do in a show environment.)
Focusing on my shoulders and really changing their angle when asking for the cue. (It seems to help me move my hips more this way than just thinking about moving hips and changing weight.)
Any other ideas?
EEP!!!! FOUR WEEKS?!!!! PANIC!!!!!
I worked with one trainer for 7 to 8 years but switched trainers in Nov 08. I had worked on flying lead changes with the prior trainer and just didn't get very far. We could do beautiful one trot/jog stride simple changes but unless there was a pole or a small fence, I just couldn't do flying changes.
Captain is a 6 year old Saddlebred that I bought when he was three. Because I haven't been confident enough to try flying lead changes he hasn't done them consistently either. Both trainers have done a few with him and he can do them, but he certainly isn't experienced at it.
Last night I worked with my new trainer on it. The one new thing he had me do was count strides so that I would apply the cue at the right moment in Captain's stride. It really seemed to help as I did manage to get a few changes. Right now the cues are greatly exaggerated and I can only do it at a center of a figure eight but it is a start. More than we have ever done before.
I am looking for other ideas that might help me with timing and ways to make them.
What did work:
Counting strides, making me aware of when the inside front leg was down.
Keeping the inside leg completely off of him until asking for the switch so that it is very clear that it is a cue. (He requires LOTS of leg so this will be hard to do in a show environment.)
Focusing on my shoulders and really changing their angle when asking for the cue. (It seems to help me move my hips more this way than just thinking about moving hips and changing weight.)
Any other ideas?
EEP!!!! FOUR WEEKS?!!!! PANIC!!!!!