Pattern 5, Varying Difficulty

Directions:

1. Trot from cone 1 to cone 2
2. Stop at cone 2, perform a 270
3. Trot 1/2 way to judge, break to a walk
4. Stop and set up for inspection

My Findings:

First let me preface in saying that this pattern can be really easy or really hard depending on how close the judge is standing to cone 2, the closer the judge stands, the more difficult it will be.

1. Begin at cone 1 standing far enough away so that when you stop at cone 2, you can easily do your 270 and not run over/into cone 2.
2. You must also be aware of your hip when you stop, your hip needs to be in line with the judge, so that when you complete your 270 turn your horse is straight in line with the judge.
3. Reminder: make sure you do not over or under turn and thus lose your straightness.
4. Now depending on how close the judge is standing, is how hard or easy the trot off to walk is going to be. If the judge is close, this part will be more difficult because your horse will have to immediately trot off and come back down to a walk in a short distance. This is something you may have to practice several times to get down pat.
5. Remember to stop in front of the judge an arm and a 1/2's length away.