Classical Dressage Art in Motion

In recent months our clinic giving experiences have provided much food for thought in regard to how the current dressage training and showing world seems to be developing.   Rarely do you see a 4 beat canter during a victory lap As many of you know, my husband Paul and I work as a duo in training and at clinics often work with one horse/rider combination together. A symposium style without the rehearsal and advance edit. During our teaching time we have both noticed an increasingly common issue in the canter work of new students, that of the four beat canter gait. Paul and Nikki Alvin-Smith   Back in the day Dr. Klimke used to talk about the canter having 'pop' in order to achieve good quality flying changes. And ultimately the goal is to accomplish balanced, 'unswinging' tempi changes. This advice is so true and something to always remember as you train horses up the levels.  A four beat canter has no place in dressage work. All canter work, including counter canter th