Riding in the school

[Floogel]

I was always taught to pass a rider working on the other rein left hand to left hand if both going at the same pace.

If one rider is going at a faster gait than the other, the slower rider should step in off the track and make way for the faster one.

Is this still current practice?

[NotGoodNotBad]

Yes, that's the way I understand it. Though I still have problems avoiding crashes when doing circles, changing the rein, in fact just about anything!

[Floogel]

Great. I was riding my new share pony this weekend and sticking to the above rules but no one else seemed to be.... Just wanted to check the rules were the same everywhere and not just specific to where I learnt to ride....

[horseylady]

My understanding too though several warm up arenas are not like this!! At trailblazers when dpony was competing with her rider, you could only go round on one rein!!! For a national comp I was shocked!!

[Abbicob]

Yes left to left at all times. people walking or stood should always use the inside track if others are going faster.

[Poledra]

Yes, that's the way I've always been taught at my school. Though it can be a challenge when your lazy-arsed horse is refusing to go into trot, and you need to get out of someone else's way!

[ooobee]

So do you only move onto the inside track if you are walking or stood?

If I am trotting and you are cantering does the pass left to left rule apply, or do I need to get out of your way because I am trotting and you are cantering?

[Poledra]

If you and the other rider are working on opposite reins, then the left-to-left rule still applies, regardless of your pace. Moving onto an inside track when working at a slower pace applies when you and the other rider(s) are working on the same rein.

Well, that's how I interpret the rule - I am could be making this up

[ooobee]

Ok - I thought the pass left to left rule applies when working on different reins at the same pace, but I thought if one going slower they move off the track (regardless of whether working on the same rein or different reins).

Please can someone clarify?

[NotGoodNotBad]

I thought so too ooobee, but my opinion may not count for anything!

[ExitPursuedByABear]

left to left when on opposite reins regardless of gait.

Inside track when going slower on the same rein.

No?

[notallytuts]

In my experience at jumping competitions or if someone is jumping at home, those who are at the faster gait tend to use the inside track - as its incredibly annoying to be constantly cutting across the path of someone going slower when you want to ride down to a jump, and its not ideal for the slower rider to be cut up either!

The left to left rule should usually be upheld but sometimes some leeway is required - if someone was practising a lateral movement on the right rein i would move out of their way and not pass left to left, so as not to force them to stop

[Booboostoo]

I was taught similar;
pass left to left
walk always on an inside track
give priority to those in lateral work
give priority to those in counter canter

in reality the rules are more like playing chicken!