How to do Flying Changes

Flying changes are very tricky to teach but this video takes you through the first steps of teaching them to your horse.

Interested in learning more? Check out my Masterclass: Flying Changes Made Simple: https://amelianewcombdressage.com/fly...

(FULL DESCRIPTION BELOW LINKS)

#FlyingChanges #IntroducingFlyingChanges #HowToDoFlyingChanges

Do you love my content? I’d love if you left me a review on google!
https://g.page/r/CYIGmCINXFOQEAo/review

Free Groundwork Manners PDF https://bit.ly/4eXqeOp
Free Patterns and Figures PDF https://bit.ly/4cCSp3o
Free Flying Changes Webinar https://bit.ly/3zF81F6
Free Canter Course https://bit.ly/4cWNfzg
Free Course on Confidence https://bit.ly/4eS5VBQ
Free Rider Fitness PDF/Course https://bit.ly/4f16SYD
Free Webinar on Rider Position https://bit.ly/3Ljoh1h

Support me on Patreon: https://bit.ly/4bO7EVX

Check out our swag shop: https://www.dressagebyamelia.com


TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:35 Natasha Flying Change Freesyle Clip
1:24 The most important things for Flying Changes
1:55 What you’re looking for in Walk-Canter
2:25 What you need in the canter
3:07 Where your legs need to be
3:45 Change Demonstration on both reins
4:15 Important points to note before doing changes
5:25 Demonstration of flying change setup with detailed explanation
8:20 Summary of flying change set-up
8:50 Counter canter as prep for teaching flying changes
9:44 The secret to getting the tempi changes

There’s something really magical about flying changes, don’t you think? It’s one of those moves that even people who know nothing about dressage are really impressed by. It’s when dressage starts to look like dancing. So, of course, we ALL want to eventually learn how to do them, right!?

In this week’s video, I’m aboard Natasha: the Grand Prix Change Queen, to take you guys through the details of executing a flying change. 

Firstly, as with the counter canter last week, the first thing that needs to be in place and practically unshakeable is the quality of your canter. It needs to be
Active
Uphill
Rhythmic
And have lots of impulsion (the moment of suspension when all four feet are off the ground)

The second pre-requisite for the flying changes is Canter-walk-canter transitions. 
In the walk-canter transition your horse must: 
go directly into canter with no trot steps
have a really active/engaged hind leg on the first stride,
be very responsive to a light canter aid and
stay nice and round in the neck and body.


It is also very important to note that in the canter, you need to keep your legs in the canter aid position for the lead you're on - all the time! When you are in left lead, for example, your right leg should always be slightly behind the girth unless you want a flying change!

The steps for a flying change going left to right are
Canter left 
The right leg is back from having given the aid for left canter. 
Then supple your horse with the right rein and move your horse off the right leg
Simultaneously bring the left leg back and the right leg forward to get the change.

Some points that are important to note before you attempt your changes. 
If you are changing left to right, you will keep your legs in the position for left canter, but with your rein, you will begin to ask for right bend, while maintaining the left lead canter.
When you bring the right leg forward to ask for the change, you also GIVE with the right rein to allow the inside hind leg to come through.

This does seem confusing, but I demonstrate in slow-mo on the video. Also, whoever you or your horse get flustered or confused, go back to the canter walk canter transitions so you can practice the setup with your legs/reins.

Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!

Thanks for watching and happy riding!