This article first appeared in the July 2022 digital edition of Equestrian Life. To see what’s in the current issue, click here. 

The purpose of extending any stride is to cover as much ground as possible with each stride. © Roger Fitzhardinge.

Training the extended paces

By Roger Fitzhardinge  

One of the joys of dressage is watching a horse with great extended paces. However, developing them correctly takes time and careful training, where balance and “throughness” are key.

In all tests from Novice classes through to Big Tour there are lengthened strides in walk, trot and canter leading to the extended paces in all three gaits. Before embarking on the training, it’s important to know the description of what the judges want to see in the extended paces. The definition is much the same for all three paces, with a few subtle variations:

EXTENDED WALK — The horse covers as much ground as possible, without haste and without losing the regularity of the steps. The hind feet touch the ground clearly in front of the hoof prints of the forefeet. The athlete allows the horse to stretch out the head and neck forwards and downwards without losing contact with the mouth and control of the poll. The nose must be clearly in front of the vertical.

EXTENDED TROT — The horse covers as much ground as possible. Without hurrying, the steps are lengthened to the utmost as a result of great impulsion from the hindquarters. The athlete allows the horse to lengthen the frame and to gain ground whilst controlling the poll. The forefeet should touch the ground on the spot towards which they are pointing. The movement of the fore and hind legs should reach equally forward in the moment of extension. The whole movement should be well-balanced and the transition to collected trot should be smoothly executed by taking more weight on the hindquarters…

Click here to read the full article FREE in the July 2022 issue of Equestrian Life magazine.