For the competitive rider, support and training from the ground is critical, offering criticism and advice from a perspective unbeknown to the rider. Yet, as good as that would be, it’s not possible to have support from a trainer every time you ride. Strategically placed arena mirrors allow the rider to truly see what their horse is doing and how the horse is moving, something that even the best riders are unable to feel.
Arena mirrors really do give you a fresh perspective, allowing you to check your position, your horses gait and the movement as a whole as it happens. Horizontal mirrors positioned over the centre line on the short side of your school are best for this as it gives more of an overall view of how your horse is working. We always recommend having 3 mirrors positioned here for maximum viewing. The mirrors have been designed for longevity and offer crystal clear vision.
The choice is obviously yours but once you get your first, you’ll wonder how you ever coped without them! We recommend starting with an odd number of horizontally placed mirrors on the centre line where. Having an odd number ensures when riding towards them, you stay central rather than riding towards a join where two mirrors meet. Positioning vertical mirrors on either side in the corner of the short side really does give you a full front on perspective as you travel along the long side. Your options are limitless and largely dependant on your budget but one is always better than none!
Benefits = results
The benefits of having mirrors installed in your arena are huge. So many Professional riders, use our system of Training mirrors they often praise them as they give you the opportunity to both see and feel how the horse is moving, something a trainer can’t even offer. Success comes from continual learning and striving to improve your performance each time. Mirrors offer support to that thesis – you can actually see for yourself if your horse is improving and how the movements are progressing.
Adding our outdoor training dressage mirror in your arena is an essential additional to any arena, suitable for indoor and outdoor arena, the training mirror, not only does it give you an immediate reflection on the standard of your riding position, this important visual feedback is a benefit in assist you in gaining confidence in your riding and perfecting all dressage movements
The Passage
This is a measured, very collected trot, elevated and cadenced. It is characterised by a pronounced engagement of the quarters, a more accentuated flexion of the knees and hocks and the graceful elasticity of the movement. Each diagonal pair of feet is raised and returned to the ground alternatively, with cadence and a prolonged suspension.
The Piaffe
A highly collected trot, cadenced, elevated and giving the impression of being in place. The horse's back is supple and elastic. The quarters are slightly lowered, the haunches with active hocks are well engaged, giving great freedom, lightness and mobility to the shoulders and forehand. Each diagonal pair of feet is raised and returned to the ground alternatively, with even cadence.
The Pirouette
A highly developed form of lateral movement executed on a very small circle with a radius approximately equal to the length of the horse. It can be performed in walk, piaffe or canter. The most important aspect of a good pirouette is that the rhythm and tempo of the gait in which it is performed should be exactly maintained before, during and in the departure from the movement. This can only be satisfactorily achieved if a high degree of collection and impulsion is held.
In the canter pirouette, the hindquarters will be noticeably lowered, through there should be no apparent lifting of the horse's head or forehand which would imply a loss of collection and a consequent flattening of the back. The horse should remain slightly flexed in the direction of the turn throughout, the quarters remaining well controlled to form the true pivot of the movement. He must never show the smallest tendency to drift backwards. Between 6 and 8 strides are desirable in a well controlled canter pirouette, the quality of the movement being judged according to the suppleness, lightness, cadence and regularity.
Flying Change of Leg
In order to make a flying change from canter-left to canter-right, or visa versa, the horse has to reorganise the sequence in which his legs operate in the asymmetrical beat of the gait. This primarily involves the quick adjustment of the hind legs in exactly the same way a child changes its legs while skipping along the pavement. This adjustment can only be made in the very brief moment following the third beat when all four legs are off the ground. A good flying change should flow smoothly through into the first stride of the new lead without any sign of hesitation or of a shortening of a stride, and with no loss of balance. The horse should appear to make the change with pride and elegance. It is only a matter of acquiring sufficient balance and gymnastic freedom of action in order to master the flying changes every four, three, two and one stride.
Lateral Movements
Lateral movements, comprising all movements in a direction other than that on which the horse is aligned, are of four main varieties and all can be used in various forms in all three basic gaits of walk, trot and canter. The standard variations are leg yielding, shoulder-in, traverse (or quarters-in) and half-pass. Leg yielding is not in advanced dressage. All lateral movements share the same purpose of making the horse attentive and obedient to the aids of improving his balance, suppleness and powers of collection. In all of them it is expected that the rhythm of the stride will not be hurried or short.
The Half-pass
The half-pass is widely used is all advanced dressage, and when well performed, is a very elegant and impressive movement. When performed from one side of the arena to the other it is often referred to as 'traversal'. The half-pass is also shown in the form of a zig-zag or counter change of hand, requiring flying changes of leg when done in canter. The horse should be slightly bent in the direction in which he is moving.
We pride ourselves in the high quality of our products and satisfaction of our customers and is therefore known as the leader in the industry. All our products are built with high durability and low maintenance in mind in order to give our customers peace of mind when purchasing our product.
