chapter 11
Alignments
Diagram Key
In the following diagrams, specific lines represent different distances.
Character Spacing (CS) refers to an SSO character-sized gap/distance.
Half Horse (HH) refers to a half of a horse length distance.
One Horse (OH) (or full horse) refers to one horse length distance.
Alignments are closely related to screen delay. It is recommended to first learn about screen delay before learning about alignments. Visit Chapter 3 - Screen Delay:
1.
Comb Alignment
Comb
Comb alignment is used any time two or more riders are side-by-side. Comb alignment is the most commonly used alignment within dressage. There are different variations of comb alignment, as comb alignment changes due to the speed of the rider (this is due to screen delay changing depending on the speed of the rider).
Rider's View
Commander's View
From the rider's point of view, the line leader will be a character spacing behind them (trot comb) and they should be the only horse ahead of the line leader.
From the commander's point of view, all of the riders are evenly spaced and riding side-by-side.
How to Comb
Look to Lead
When riding in comb, all riders will look to the line leader for guidance - this is because the line leader is the fastest rider in line; therefore the rest of the riders will need to match their speed to the leader. The line leader typically does not adjust, instead every rider in line will adjust to the leader.
Comb Variances
Depending on the gait being used, the riders will place themselves a certain distance ahead of the line leader. If at a trot, you will ride with the leader a character spacing behind you. If the rider line is in proper alignment, on your own screen, you should see everyone side-by-side in comb alignment except yourself, as you will be slightly ahead. On the commanders screen, all riders should be side-by-side.
Straight & Aligned
During comb alignment, the riders have two important tasks to maintain: straight and aligned. Each rider will continuously check to make sure they are in proper comb alignment with their lead while also using the sand lines to ensure they are riding straight and not veering into the riders next to them.
If another rider begins to veer into other riders, the other riders will continue straight and not veer away. Instead, it is each individual rider's task to ensure they are straight and if they do veer, to gently adjust.
Key Factors of Comb
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Base comb alignment off of the line leader.
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Ensure you are straight and not veering.
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Constantly check alignment and adjust as needed.
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Always merge towards leader once reaching wall/marker.
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You should be ahead of everyone else on your own screen.
Comb Variations
Comb alignment will change depending on the rider's speed, because of this, there are different variations of comb alignment for each gait.
Walk Comb
To perform comb alignment at a walk, each rider will have the line leader BOS + CS to them; leader's nose a character spacing away from their saddle (AKA lead's nose over their horse's rump). This will result in the riders being side-by-side on the Commanders screen.
Walk screen delay difference is half of a horse length + character spacing; therefore the riders will place themselves half of a horse length + CS ahead of their line leader.
rider pov
commander pov
Trot Comb
To perform comb alignment at a trot, each rider will be a character spacing ahead of the line leader's nose. This will result in the riders being side-by-side on the Commanders screen.
Trot screen delay difference is a horse length + character spacing; therefore the riders will place themselves a CS ahead of their line leader.
rider pov
commander pov
Canter Comb
To perform comb alignment at a canter, each rider will be one full horse length plus character spacing ahead of the line leader. This will result in the riders being side-by-side on the Commanders screen.
Canter screen delay difference is two horse lengths + character spacing; therefore the riders will place themselves a horse length plus CS ahead of their line leader.
rider pov
commander pov
Curved Comb
Curved comb alignment is used when performing a comb on a circle or shape, such as a pinwheel. Due to the riders not riding on a straight line, the curve of the circle or shape must be taken into account in relation to comb alignment.
To perform curved comb alignment, the riders will place themselves half or full horse length ahead of the typical comb alignment for that gait. However, this will vary depending on the angle of the curve as well as how far apart the riders are.
2.
Staggered Alignment
Staggered
Staggered Alignment is used for formations where the riders are spaced apart and not directly across from each other, such as waterfalls, slants, and specific split lines.
Staggered Alignment is used to ensure that gaps and line order do not change during waterfalls and split lines; when merging from a waterfall or split, the staggered alignment will merge the riders back into their original gaps and original line order.
Within staggered alignment, there are two subcategories:
1. Split Staggered
2. Slant Staggered
Split Staggered is used for waterfalls and split lines that will remerge.
Slant Staggered is used for forward and back slants.
To learn more about Staggered Alignment, visit the Staggered Alignment Canva presentation where Split & Slant Staggered Alignment is explained and demonstrated using diagrams:
Important Note
The following diagrams and descriptions are designed using Halfway Inside (HI) gaps, as the primary gaps used in the PDM & PQL is the HI-FI gap window. However, if you are using different gaps, replace HI with whichever gap your rider line uses.
for example
If your rider line is using OT gaps, Split Staggered Alignment in a waterfall would be: each rider will maintain OT gaps with the rider ahead and across from them.
The alignment will be whichever gap size the rider line was originally using.
Staggered: Split
Rider's View
Commander's View
From the rider's point of view, they are halfway-inside (their hands to the back of the other rider's saddle) to the rider across and ahead of them while also staying in-line with the rider directly in front of them.
From the commander's point of view, the riders are evenly spaced apart and not side-by-side: the riders should be NTT to the rider across/ahead.
Key Factors of Split Staggered
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Base alignment off of partner.
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Partner is the rider ahead/across from you.
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Ensure you are straight and not veering.
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Constantly check alignment and adjust as needed.
How to Split Staggered
When riding in split staggered alignment, you will stay halfway inside (or whatever your original gap size was) to the rider ahead and across from you. Your partner is the rider who was originally in front of you during original line up (before you waterfalled). During split staggered, keep your hands to the back of your partner's saddle. If every rider in line performs staggered alignment properly, there will be equal spacings between each rider.
Staggered: Slants
Slant staggered has two specific types of alignments, slant staggered alignment for forward slants and slant staggered alignment for back slants.
Forward Slant: Rider's View
Forward Slant: Commander's View
When riding a FORWARD slant, from the rider's point of view, they are placing their partner halfway-inside to themselves (or whichever gap the riders were originally using). This will place the rider slightly ahead of their partner on their own screen as their partner's hands should be at the back of their saddle.
From the commander's point of view, the riders are evenly aligned and spaced apart.
Back Slant: Rider's View
Back Slant: Commander's View
When riding a BACK slant, from the rider's point of view, they halfway-inside to their partner (or whichever gap the riders were originally using). This will place the rider slightly behind their partner on their own screen as their hands should be at the back of their partner's saddle.
From the commander's point of view, the riders are evenly aligned and spaced apart.
Key Factors of Slant Staggered
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Base alignment off of partner.
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Partner depends on type of slant.
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In back slant, partner is the rider who was originally behind you.
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In forward slant, partner is the rider who was originally in front of you.
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In back slant, maintain gap to partner.
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In forward slant, have partner maintain gap to you.
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Ensure you are straight and not veering.
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Constantly check alignment and adjust as needed.
How to Slant Staggered
When riding in slant staggered alignment in a FORWARD slant, place your partner's hands at the back of your saddle (partner is HI to you, or whichever gap you were originally using). When turning onto a slant from HI gaps, this is the natural alignment that you will be placed into.
When riding in slant staggered alignment in a BACK slant, place your hands to the back of the saddle of your partner (you are HI to your partner, or whichever gap you were originally using). When turning onto a back slant from HI gaps, this is the natural alignment that you will end up in.
Partners
In a forward slant, your partner will be the rider who was originally in front of you before the slant. If you forward slant left, your partner will be to your right. If you forward slant right, your partner will be to your left. In a back slant, your partner will be the rider who was originally behind you before the slant. If you back slant left, your partner is to your left and vice versa.
To learn more about slants and slant lines, visit Chapter 6 - Sandlines & Meters:
3.
Tier Alignment
Tier
Tier alignment is used when there are two or more rider lines next to each other or for split lines that are maintaining arena timing.
Rider's View
Commander's View
From the rider's point of view, they are maintaining comb alignment with the rider next to them while also maintaining half horse gaps with the rider in front of them.
From the commander's point of view, the two rider lines are evenly spaced apart with sets of two riders next to each other with equal gaps between each set.
How to Tier
When riding tier alignment, you will be in comb alignment with your partner - the rider next to you from the other rider line. You will also keep half horse gaps with the rider directly in front of you.
Each rider will maintain both comb alignment and half horse gaps, if they are not in comb or the correct gap - they will adjust accordingly and their partner will do the same.
Key Factors of Tier
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Base alignment off of partner.
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Partner is the rider who is next to you.
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Odds partner will be the rider who was originally behind them.
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Evens partner will be the rider who was originally in front of them.
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Maintain comb alignment with partner.
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Maintain half horse gaps with the rider in front of you.
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Ensure you are straight and not veering.
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Constantly check alignment and adjust as needed.
During tier alignment, the riders have two important tasks to maintain: comb alignment and half horse gaps. Each rider will continuously check to make sure they are in proper comb alignment with their partner while also making sure they are in half horse gaps with the rider in front of them.
Additionally, each rider needs to maintain straightness. Typically tier alignment is performed on the tight tier sand lines (which are 2.5 meters apart), this allows the riders to merge back into HI gaps in original line order. For more information on the Tight Tier sand lines, visit Chapter 6 - Sandlines & Meters.
