How to do Simple Changes: Canter-Walk-Canter

Can you execute simple canter changes on your horse? In this video I show you how to make simple canter changes on your horse, involving canter to walk and then canter again on the different lead! We’ve got to walk before we can fly!
#HowtodoSimpleChanges #CanterLeadChanges #SimpleChanges
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How to do Simple Changes
We’ve all heard the phrase, “you’ve got to walk before you can run”. Well when it comes to canter lead changes, you’ve got to walk before you can FLY! Before we can learn flying changes, we must learn simple changes! The simple change involves cantering, then bringing your horse back to a few steps of collected walk, and then cantering again on the opposite lead.
This week’s video is going to teach you how to do that step by step. This movement starts to show up at second level and is the foundation for learning flying changes so let’s get started.
Firstly, get your horse moving on a circle to begin your walk-canter-walk transitions, and set your legs up in the position to ask for canter, with your inside leg on the girth and your outside leg behind it.
When you are ready, give the aid for the canter by pushing them off your inside leg, then half halting and asking with the legs for canter.
What we really want and need to see from the transition are the following.
1. There are no trot steps
2. The first canter stride is active
3. The horse stays round and connected
Canter to walk is one of the hardest transitions and requires a lot of collection. If you’re finding this difficult, make a 10m circle in the canter to really get your horse collected and then use your seat to let the horse drop into the walk.
The best way to introduce the simple change is with the figure eight pattern. Canter a circle, do a few walk steps across the center line and then pick up your new canter on the other lead and make the second circle of the eight.
When you land in the walk, leg yield off the inside leg so the inside hind steps into the outside rein to prepare for the canter.
Start practicing the transition on a three loop serpentine as the second level test will ask you to execute the movement in this pattern.
The “simple” change is something of a misnomer as the movement takes a lot of riding and work to keep your horse active both in the walk and canter.
Watch the video where I go into MUCH more detail about it and let me know in the comments if you find it helpful!
Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@skmaslen]

I appreciate you showing the good and not so good transitions, and talking through the problems. Thank you, Amelia!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're so welcome!

[@tanon823]

A particular ‘quirk’ of Andalusian’s is their tendency to anticipate. They want to please so they decide to help you. It can make schooling frustrating and amusing. After about three times I have to change the exercise otherwise I’m on Robohorse, who has memorized the exercise and is doing it himself, no aids required. That anticipation also can create excitement so I end up with lots of walk breaks until the concept that transitions in canter do not require compressing oneself like an accordion followed by an explosive launch a la capriole from the Spanish Riding School. 🐴🙄

[@ceciliadeclerck5002]

This was great! I have troubles with this…and I will do my first competition in September (now 2024). I am a Swede in Spain riding a Holstiner. Thank you! 🙏

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

amelianewcombdressage.com/free-competition-PDF/?KZbin&Competition+PDF+2024

[@joannecroft5831]

The rein back is a great tip

[@SachasBlafferieAmsterdam]

From Amsterdam (Netherlands) 🇳🇱

[@carolsamford]

Amelia, I just want to say thank you for all of your videos. You're the best at explaining and then actually showing us how it's done. You've been tremendously helpful to me and I appreciate it so much I am taking your master courses and they are wonderful.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so glad my videos have helped you on your journey.

[@cherylyingstbartel1457]

Thanks for this Amelia. Lots of us are riding at the lower levels so this is so helpful.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@benitascott3533]

Thankyou for sending me this link Amelia! Goodness he's a beautiful horse, & frankly I'm in awe of your ability & yout teaching. I'm no way near 2nd level or capable of teaching my horse nor executing myself, these dimple changes. Yet still I live to watch & arm myself with as much information as possible, to atleast understand what I'm looking at & aspiring to. I love too, that you're able yo spend your life doing horses! That would be my dream! Kudos to you for your dedication & sharing 👏🏼 🙌 🐎💘

[@muhibbualii4580]

I've been riding for four months and your videos have pushed me to become a better rider,from trots,to canters it's also helped me learn more on how to ride my horse,I'm jumping fences as high as 70,80,90 occasionally.Thank you for the tips I'll probably be going for my first jumping show in a month or two Godwilling.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

HI Muhibbu!! Thanks so much for watching! That's an awesome improvement in a short time! I'm so glad the videos have helped! Dressage can help people from ALL disciplines! Don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! Also, if you’d like to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! Enrollment for 2022 ends this Saturday! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@kittzang6796]

Very informative

[@ainsleygrant4665]

This was a really great video and addressed some of the challenges I face- like anticipating and rushing through the center of the figure 8. It was great to see how you took your time to get the right position from the horse to prepare for the downward transition from canter to walk and canter departure in the new lead. Super helpful! Thank you 🐴❤️🐴

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks so much Ainsley! I'm so glad it helped! Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! Also, if you’d like to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! Enrollment for 2022 ends this Saturday! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Are you planning on showing this year? I've go a webinar on competition coming up May 1st! Here's the link to sign up: www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/show-season

[@acaciawilliams9015]

I was just doing canter serpentines on Tuesday. Your timing with this video is spot on. ;) And one of my issues is that my horse does anticipate, and he would really like to dump on the inside shoulder, fall on the forehand, and kind of run/throw himself forward into the canter instead of picking himself up into it. (I hope that makes sense.) I'm thinking I may need to carry a whip in both hands once or twice just to be able to remind him on the serpentine to pick up that inside shoulder. Normally he falls in more on his left shoulder and is a little stiffer going left, and a little more reluctant to move his barrel off my left leg, so I leave the whip in that hand, but I bet we could improve our right lead transition, too, by getting off that shoulder more, as well (especially when he's anticipating like he does). Has anyone here found success riding with a whip in each hand? How hard is it to get used to? My only concern is that I don't want to stress my horse out by being uncoordinated because I'm not used to having a whip in each hand. TIA!

[@susansoderman1854]

This is something I’ve been working on. Thanks for the tips!

[@meganguild1221]

Must have read my mind 😂 Working on this currently with my young horse. She loves the walk to canter, still trying to convince her to do a nice canter to walk 😅 Would like to try a BD Elementary (UK) later this year but need to crack these simple changes first. Thanks!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're welcome Megan, I'm glad it helped! Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! Also, if you’d like to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! Enrollment for 2022 ends this Saturday! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@evelyneshun]

soooo helpful, thank you .. the rein back really works.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Awesome Evelyn! I'm so glad it helped! Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! Also, if you’d like to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! Enrollment for 2022 ends this Saturday! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@sallyannefrancis8647]

Watching from GB England Norfolk. Loving your tuition.😘

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for watching SallyAnne, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! Also, if you to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@ceridwenlee1417]

Thanks Amelia! Your explanations are very clear and helpful.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@reneenowicki6859]

Great video! Thanks for the strategy, I'm excited to go ride!

[@sharonfoor1253]

Thanks for your videos and advice 👍😊

[@susangillham8771]

I really like the clarity of your instruction. I am going back to work on my walk-canter-walks on the circle. Making sure I am moving Mirage off the inside my leg to my outside rein , half halt and canter with my seat. On the figure 8, making sure he is off my new inside leg and into my new outside rein to canter. I do loose thrust in the collected work . Maybe you can help me with the next video! I loose my cruise control with collection and then I get a wiggly horse that trips!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for watching Susan, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! Also, if you’d like to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! Enrollment for 2022 ends this Saturday! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@juliekeys4992]

Really good demonstration and love the horse

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks Julie! And thanks for subscribing! Also, if you'd like to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! Enrollment for 2022 ends this Saturday! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@michaelc2509]

Great insight. Watching from Canada

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks again for watching Michael

[@alisonholtom160]

Following from 💚Aotearoa NZ 🐎🤎🐎🤎🐎

[@runecastcopper9738]

Loved this. Thank you 😊

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yay! Glad it was helpful!!

[@suncoastacres]

As usual, extremely informative and helpful. One Q - in the canter to walk transition, you say that after getting the horse collected, use your seat to let the horse drop into the walk. Does "using your seat" mean reducing the following movement of your seat, slight tightening of thighs, neither, or more? Thanks once again for sharing your expertise.

[@kellycandeur4042]

Good question. I have the same. Also, when you say half halt- is this inside or outside reign? Thanks for the info!!

[@codymanning8387]

@@kellycandeur4042 you half half with outside rein

[@minderellafox7906]

You tighten up your core, tummy pulled back to spine and pulse it. I use a countdown method and it works. 6 5 4 3 2 1 and release. I use my core on each countdown, hold with my leg a little. And then release on the last count. Yes outside rein squeezes, in the half half, but not in an obstructive way. 😊 hope that helps? Canter walks are not easy!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for watching, and for subscribing too!! I'm really glad you found this helpful! Minderella's advice below here is good for your question! Also, if you’d like to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! Enrollment for 2022 ends this Saturday! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@carlosbeirao6070]

Great exercise! Thank you so much Amelia!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're so welcome!

[@janecamens5683]

More on half halts please

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Check out this video: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/the-half-halt-explained/

[@brrpapapa]

Great video 👌 thank you 😊

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for watching Rombout. Also, if you to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@minderellafox7906]

Love this. They are so hard! But Mercurio was a good model 🥰

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hahah thanks Minderella! Yeah he's such a good boy! Thanks for subscribing! Also, if you to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@mette1976]

Super thanks

[@simons1543]

practice practice practice .... will do ma'am

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for subscribing Michael! Also, if you to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! Enrolment for 2022 ends on Saturday! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@freemanfarms2011]

Excellent! ❤️❤️❤️

[@zoebosman8561]

Thank you for this, why not canter to trot, then trot to canter?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Good question Zoe, canter-trot-canter is the precursor to canter walk canter. Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! Also, if you to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@leanngarofalo2355]

Great video!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks LeAnn! Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! Also, if you’d like to really focus on getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, you can sign up to my masterclass on Rider Position here! Enrollment for 2022 ends this Saturday! bit.ly/3zqBlwR

[@natural-horsemanship-school]

Thank you for you video~ I have a question. 3~5 steps work~ in this case, Is 'steps' means each time the horse's hoof touches the ground?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes, correct

[@natural-horsemanship-school]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage All four legs move in turns, but does the movement of each hoof count as a step? If so~ The movement of work is very short. I couldn't find anything about this in FEI. Did you find the regulations in Fei? Thank you in advance. ^^

[@Diemastro]

Holland the netherlands

[@waynestaudt9627]

How do U eliminate the trot steps?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That's a great question Wayne, I'm going to answer it in my LIVE tonight as I think others will benefit from the answer too.

[@afaaafoo4294]

And then like play piano