Flatwork / Dressage
Intermediate
20 min
Medium Trot Across the Diagonal
Focus: Transitions, Impulsion, Adjustability
Equipment: Letter markers
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Establish a balanced working trot. Prepare for the diagonal line.
- At the corner letter, turn across the diagonal. In the first 3-4 strides, ask the horse to lengthen into medium trot.
- Allow the stride to grow longer and more ground-covering. The tempo stays the same — only the stride length increases.
- Your posting should become bigger and more forward to match the longer stride.
- Maintain the medium trot across the diagonal until 3-4 strides before the track.
- Collect back to working trot before reaching the track. The collection should be smooth, not abrupt.
- Change direction and repeat on the other diagonal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- The horse running faster instead of lengthening the stride.
- Losing balance and falling onto the forehand during the medium trot.
- Not collecting soon enough and arriving at the track unbalanced.
- The rider gripping with the knees and blocking the horse's shoulder movement.
Variations & Progressions
- Perform medium trot on the long side for a different spatial challenge.
- Add a 10-meter circle at X in the working trot before continuing medium trot.
- Progress to extended trot across the diagonal for even greater lengthening.
Tip: Medium trot should feel like the horse is pushing more from behind, not pulling from the front. The engine is in the hindquarters.
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