Centre Line
Fiona Gair • 22 March 2025
Centre Lines
Don’t underestimate how difficult riding a good centre line is.
Every test begins and ends on the centre line. The judge gets their first impression here and also their final thoughts before writing your collectives.
Do you practice straight lines in your every day schooling sessions?
You should ride plenty of straight lines using the centre line and 3/4 lines so you and your horse don’t become dependant on the fence or track.
Which rein is your horse most straight on? Enter your test off that rein. Get a good rhythm before you enter and look round to the judge just before you start your turn onto the centre line as this will help you be accurate. Ride positively forward down the centre line and look beyond the judge as this will help you stay straight. Try to keep the positive rhythm through the turns on to and off of the centre line.
Check your body straightness..... Can you feel equally both seat bones? If you lift your rib cage a little this will help you remain straight and aim to keep your horse’s head and neck on the centre line with a hand either side of that line.
.....oh and don’t forget to relax, breathe and enjoy! 🦄
Don’t underestimate how difficult riding a good centre line is.
Every test begins and ends on the centre line. The judge gets their first impression here and also their final thoughts before writing your collectives.
Do you practice straight lines in your every day schooling sessions?
You should ride plenty of straight lines using the centre line and 3/4 lines so you and your horse don’t become dependant on the fence or track.
Which rein is your horse most straight on? Enter your test off that rein. Get a good rhythm before you enter and look round to the judge just before you start your turn onto the centre line as this will help you be accurate. Ride positively forward down the centre line and look beyond the judge as this will help you stay straight. Try to keep the positive rhythm through the turns on to and off of the centre line.
Check your body straightness..... Can you feel equally both seat bones? If you lift your rib cage a little this will help you remain straight and aim to keep your horse’s head and neck on the centre line with a hand either side of that line.
.....oh and don’t forget to relax, breathe and enjoy! 🦄
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Transitions Good transitions are essential! Transitions are in every test at every level. How many transitions do you ride in your schooling sessions? You should ride too many to count. Transitions help to improve balance and suppleness as well as encouraging your horse to be more responsive. Preparation is key to good transitions. Make sure your horse is in front of your leg and working into the bridle, then half-halt. This will let your horse know that something is about to be asked and help them maintain good balance through the transition. Then, when you ask for the transition, don’t think of going faster for an upward or slower for a downward transition. Try to ride from the rhythm of one pace forward to the rhythm of the new pace - thinking of your horse just changing his leg pattern from one pace to the next whilst maintaining a good connection in front of your leg and into the bridle. Remember, even downward transitions need to be ridden forward. 🦄
