SOME THOUGHTS ON COURSE DESIGN

From a junior equitation rider's point of view, course design can often present challenges.

For example, with the Hunter phase of the Washington, the course is usually set on a twelve or thirteen foot stride. Adjusting in the lines may be necessary depending on the size of your horses' stride. Checking for a dotted line - a line beyond which you may not go in making your opening circle is important in this class. The dotted line will be marked on the course diagram at the in-gate not necessarily in the ring (sometimes it is marked with a line of bushes).

In general, Equitation courses usually ask questions of the rider. When evaluating an equitation course, thinking of the course from all directions can be helpful. When you look at a fence, it is better to think of it as part of a whole line - evaluating what went before and what is coming after. The course diagram can help you get a sense of how the course flows and what you want the complete picture to be like.

Talk to you later.
Maria Schaub