Ask the L Question

Q: Can you talk about the counter-canter in First Level Test 3. What do you look for and how do you score it?

~ Kate

A: The counter-canter is really hard for a number of reasons. It’s hard for riders to understand because most people think that when their horses are on the wrong lead, they’re on counter-canter. But there is a difference between the two.

I did some research for this question because it’s an interesting concept and there’s been some controversy about the counter-canter. There are some upper-level riders who think it’s absolutely necessary for developing straightness, suppleness and balance in the canter. And there are other top riders who believe it’s not helpful for these things.

I found a very interesting definition of the counter-counter written by Gerhard Politz. He says that the counter-canter is a rider-invented gymnastic exercise, and its purpose is to improve the horse’s balance, suppleness, straightness and collection. He also notes that in nature horses rarely canter on the wrong lead or counter-canter. If they do, it’s usually a result of weakness or lameness issue.

From the Judge’s Point of View

In First Level Test 3, judges are looking for regularity and quality of the canter, the shape and size of loops and positioning of the horse, as well as balance. When I’m in the judge’s seat I want to see that the tempo of the counter-canter remains the same. Some riders get overly fast and rush through it. Others get really slow because they’re worried about it.

I want to see that the horse is straight and balanced and not leaning in one direction or the other. I also want to see that the horse isn’t worried. When they’re worried and wondering why they’re on the wrong lead, their instinct is to swap to the “correct” lead because it’s more comfortable and balanced for them.

If you’re riding a counter-canter on a 10-meter loop and your horse feels the need to change, that tells me he’s unbalanced and is trying to find his balance.

Another important thing to note is that if you have to move your horse’s head and neck to maintain a lead or to pick up a canter, then he isn’t truly understanding the aids and you’re never going to get a true flying change. If this a problem area for you, go back and work on aid fundamentals before the counter-canter.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Most riders don’t have problems with the first half of the counter-canter. They come out of the corner and canter as if they’re going across the diagonal and then hit the centerline and it all goes downhill.

Often, this is because the rider has the horse over-bent in the direction of the canter, so they’re crooked. If your horse isn’t balanced and supple he might misunderstand and leg yield back to the rail. Your horse can be slightly flexed in the direction of travel or he can be straight, but you should feel him come up underneath you.

If you look at the counter-canter in Second Level, riders also make the mistake of being overly bent to the outside as they go down the long side to where the hindquarters are very much to the inside. So, they’re moving diagonally and leg yielding down the rail, rather than being straight. Our horses shouldn’t need their heads and necks to canter. It’s about their shoulders and about their hind legs being straight.

When riding the counter-canter, I teach my students to counter bend the horse and push the outside hind leg in the direction of travel or toward the midline. This helps to straighten the horse’s neck and brings the inside hind leg underneath him, so he stands up a little more.

If done correctly, the counter-canter should improve the quality of your horse’s canter, and you should feel a sense of more uphill balance and more expression in the gait.

For more tips on how to incorporate counter-canter work into your dressage horse’s training routine, click here.

Watch & Learn on E+

For more hands-on training tips on the counter-canter from top dressage experts, check out these videos on EQUESTRIAN+.

About Aviva Nebesky

Aviva Nebesky started riding in her 30s, but horses rapidly took over her life and she went on to graduate with distinction from the USDF “L” Program. She actively trains and competes in dressage while maintaining a busy teaching and judging schedule throughout the mid-Atlantic.

She has her USDF Bronze Medal and the Fourth Level scores towards her Silver and has competed internationally representing the USA at the Maccabi Games in Israel in 2022. Aviva regularly works with eventers, working equitation riders, Western Dressage riders and traditional dressage riders. With a master’s degree in social services and Social Research and decades of work in the field of physical rehab, Aviva specializes in working with adult amateurs with fear issues.