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| Questions on Rhythm Interview with Jana Wagner
Published: September 2006 Topline Ink Equestrian Journal Magazine
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| | Rhythm is a word that is frequently heard in dressage. It is a popular word that is mentioned by riders, instructors, judges and clinicians. To further clarify the term and to find the true value, meaning and importance of rhythm in dressage, we interviewed dressage judge and USDF certified instructor, Jana Wagner. She not only describes the terms of rhythm in dressage training but what to look or listen for and how to preserve it. | "The main cause of destroying rhythm is by the reins." |
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| | Topline Ink Equestrian Journal: What is the definition of rhythm and importance for a dressage horse?
Jana Wagner:
The rules from the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Directory in the Glossary of Judging Terms describes rhythm as “The characteristic sequence of footfalls and phases of a given gait. For purposes of dressage, the only correct rhythms are those of the pure walk, pure trot, and pure canter (not those of amble, pace, rack, etc.) Not to be confused with “tempo,” “cadence,” or miles per hour.” It is important to keep the distinctive rhythm of the 3 gaits (walk, trot, canter) of a dressage horse. Preserving, the rhythm is one of the most fundamentals of dressage.
I can not over emphasis the importance of a clear rhythm at each gait. The horse does not necessarily have to be a great mover, but if the horse has a clear and consistent rhythm it will score well. Additionally, because of better balance the training will be easier.
As a trainer, when I look at a horse, even a foal, for me the steady rhythm as the horse trots or canters around the arena is very, very important. The idea is that you can turn around and just listen to the foot fall and then turn back and look at the horse again and it is still in the same rhythm and tempo. For me, that is the horse has natural balance. In training, balance is one of the most important ingredients. It also shows that later on in further training, you will have less problems developing medium and extended gaits. You will not deal as much with training problems like being on the forehand, lack of self carriage, switching leads in the canter, and similar problems.
| | "I can not over emphasis the importance of a clear rhythm at each gait." |
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| Topline Ink Equestrian Journal: Can rhythm be improved or corrected through training?
Jana Wagner:
Good Question. First let me say rhythm can be destroyed with incorrect training. What happens often is collecting the walk too early and done incorrectly can cause a lateral walk. The same can happen to the canter which can cause a 4-beat canter instead of the pure 3-beat canter gait.
You can improve through lateral movements. For example, if you have a horse with a pacing or lateral walk, you can walk him in leg yielding which will improve the rhythm but in my opinion you can never improve the rhythm more than what the horse originally had naturally.
Topline Ink Equestrian Journal: What things can a rider do to improve or preserve rhythm?
Jana Wagner:
The main cause of destroying rhythm is by the reins. By being careful how much restriction the rider gives with his reins it either allows the horse to keep his natural rhythm or will cause the horse to start losing balance and the characteristic of the sequence of foot falls.
I think it is important for the rider to see their horse with supporting reins (sidereins, drawreins) on the lunge line without a rider to get a good feel for the natural rhythm of their horse. Rhythm has nothing to do with the horse going fast or slow. This would refer to tempo. I do believe not only in looking at the horse but also listening to the footfalls as this teaches the rider an important tool to recognize unclear footfalls.
People should know that the term rhythm in dressage is not the same term used in the music world. The United States Dressage Federation, Inc. (USDF) Directory Glossary of Judging Terms continues it’s description with “ Rhythm is sometimes used mistakenly to mean “tempo” (rate of repetition of the strides). This usage is not consistent with the correct English definition of “rhythm” (per Webster), nor with its normal usage in the music world.”
| | Jana Wagner is a USDF certified instructor through 4th level, a “L” Judge graduate “with distinction”, a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist | | | | Topline Ink Equestrian Journal Magazine | Dedicated Riders are Dedicated Readers Topline Ink Equestrian Jounal has been described by our readership as... | Copyright notice: No part of this page may be reproduced. | | | To read more articles: |
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