chapter 14
Corners
1.
Corner methods
Corners
Within dressage, there are two methods that riders use to make turns and ride around corners. The universal method is called J-Corner, where the riders make a rounded-tapping turn through the corner. The PDM designed a corner method called L-Corner, where the riders make a sharp turn through the corner where they hold down their directional key rather than tapping.
J-Corner
L-Corner
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The two different turning methods result in different outcomes.
J-Corner
J-Corners are curved tapping turns through a corner or when turning onto a new sandline. The riders will tap their directional key through the turn, following the rider in front of them. Most clubs use J-Corners to adjust their gaps, as riders can tap fast or slow to adjust their gap size.
L-Corner
L-Corners are a 90-degree turn through a corner or when turning onto a new sand line. The rider will hold down their directional key once their horse's nose has reached the new sand line they wish to turn onto and then release once straight. L-Corners is the method the PDM uses for any type of turn.
Why L-Corners? PQL uses L-Corners because they create uniform and precise turns. When every rider in line performs an L-Corner, their gaps will not be affected, unlike J-Corners. This is why PQL created L-Corners, to combat the negative affects of J-Corners.
Additionally, L-Corners help the riders maintain straightness and arena timing. When a rider line taps through a turn, there is a high chance that the riders over or under tap which results in them not being straight on the sand line they turned onto. When a rider line taps through a turn, especially if they are adjusting their gaps in the turn, each rider will tap a different amount - which can lead to the tail end of the rider line being far off of their sand line, which then effects arena timing.
L-Corners also helps with making merges and splits more precise!
L-Corner Demo
In the video, the rider demonstrates trot L-Corners. The rider begins turning once their horse's nose reaches the sand line they wish to turn onto. The rider holds down their turning key and then releases once straight on the new sand line.
In order to perform L-Corners properly, the riders need to be aware of different sand lines and use their camera.
L-Corner Gaits
2.
Gaits
There are 3 main variances of L-Corners: walk, trot, and canter L-Corners. Each gait turns a different distance. Canter turns are wider than trot turns, trot turns are wider than walk turns. Due to each gait having a different width of turn, there are different times at which a rider should begin the L-Corner.
Walk L-Corner
To ride a walk L-Corner, the rider will begin holding down their directional key once their horse's nose is directly overtop of the sandline they wish to turn onto.
Trot L-Corner
To ride a trot L-Corner, the rider will begin holding down their directional key once their horse's nose has reached the sandline they wish to turn onto.
Canter L-Corner
To ride a canter L-Corner, the rider will begin holding down their directional key once their horse's nose is a character spacing away from the sandline they wish to turn onto.
When would an extended canter L-Corner begin?
Try it out yourself and see if you can find the correct timing!
