chapter 16
Transitional Timing
1.
Timing Information
Timing Explained
Transitional timing consists of 5 methods that are used to complete specific moves without the use of multiple go's. In moves that have a transition, such as gait changes, directional changes, or partner moves, the riders will use a specific type of transitional timing to perform the transition, rather than the commander calling go.
Transitional timing rids the use of many go's, instead, it focuses on the individual rider's skill rather than the commander needing to call different go's at precise timings. Transitional timing also allows for more efficiency and freedom during performances.
2.
Gait Timing
How It Works
Gait Transitional Timing is used by riders whenever they change gaits in a dressage move. Instead of the Commander calling go for the gait change, the riders will do it themselves once they've reached a specific point during the move.
Move Examples
The following dressage moves would use Gait Transitional Timing.
Orbit - walk then canter curl
Bee Curl - trot then canter curl
Triple Curl - walk, trot, canter curl
Gait Transitional Timing is used in any dressage move that has a gait transition (unless the transition is paired with a directional change - in that case the rider would use Combined Timing).
How To Perform
To change gait in a dressage move, the rider will change their gait once they are "straight" on their original axis (aka original sand line - typically where the rider first started the move).
example Triple Curl
On go, the rider changes to walk and completes a walk curl - once the rider's horse is overtop of their original axis they change to trot and complete a trot curl - once the rider's horse is overtop of their original axis again they change to canter and complete a canter curl - once the rider's horse is overtop of their original axis they change to trot and exit the move back onto their original sand line.
Gait Timing Demo
In the video the rider performs a Bee Curl - trot curl then canter curl. The rider changes from trot to canter once their horse is "straight" on their original axis.
When gait timing is performed correctly, the rider will not cross over their original sand line to the opposite side. Once completing the move, the rider should exit onto their original sand line straight, and not to either side of the line (the rider should complete the move at the same place where they started the move).
3.
Directional Timing
How It Works
Directional Transitional Timing is used by riders whenever they change direction in a dressage move. Instead of the Commander calling go for the direction change, the riders will do it themselves once they've reached a specific point during the move.
Move Examples
The following dressage moves would use Directional Transitional Timing.
Fate - curl left then curl right
Dodge - curl-over then curl-over in opp. direction
Mist - curl then curl-over in opp. direction
Directional Transitional Timing is used in any dressage move that has a direction change (unless the transition is paired with a gait change - in that case the rider would use Combined Timing).
How to Perform
To change direction in a dressage move, the rider will change direction once they are straight in orientation - all four of their horse's hooves are straight over their original sand line (if the move changes sand lines: change direction once the horse is straight in orientation - aka straight in relation to the arena walls or any related positional markers).
example Fate
On go, the rider curls left. After finishing the first curl, the rider will then change direction to the right once they are straight on their original sand line (where the rider first began the move), then the rider then curls right.
Directional Timing Demo
In the video the rider performs a Fate - trot curl left then trot curl right. The rider changes direction once their horse is straight over their original axis.
When directional timing is performed correctly, the rider will slightly move forward on their axis during the direction change. Once completing the move, the rider should exit onto their original sand line (or a new sand line if the move changes the rider's sand line) straight and not to either side of the line.
Riders should be aware of directional changes and gait spacings during directional moves. For example, a walk curl-over will place the rider one character spacing away from their original line - a trot curl-over will place the rider 2.5 meters away from their original line - a canter curl-over will place the rider 5 meters away from their original line.
4.
Combined Timing
How It Works
Combined Transitional Timing is used by riders whenever they change gait and direction during the same point in a dressage move. Instead of the Commander calling go for the gait and direction change, the riders will do it themselves once they've reached a specific point during the move.
Move Examples
The following dressage moves would use Combined Transitional Timing.
Galaxy - walk curl left then canter curl right
Canter Combo - trot curl-over, canter curl, trot curl-over
Bee Fate - trot curl left then canter curl right
Combined Transitional Timing is used in any dressage move that has a gait and direction change at the same point during the move.
How to Perform
To change gait and direction in a dressage move, the rider will change their gait once they are straight in orientation and then quickly change direction. This will happen in one smooth and quick motion: gait then direction.
example Galaxy
On go the rider walk curls left. After completing the walk curl, once the rider is straight in orientation over their original sand line they will change gait to canter and then change direction to the right.
Combined Timing Demo
In the video the rider performs a Bee Fate - trot curl left then canter curl right. The rider changes from trot to canter and then changes direction once their are straight over their original axis.
When combined timing is performed correctly, the rider will slightly move forward on their axis during the direction change and they should exit the move straight on their original sand line (or new sand line), not on either side of the line.
5.
Passing Timing
How It Works
Passing Transitional Timing (also known as partner timing) is used by riders during partner moves. Instead of the Commander calling go for the partner move (which can be very difficult due to screen delay), the riders will do the move themselves once they've reached their partner.
There are 3 types of passing timing:
1. Nose-to-nose
2. Nose-to-tail
3. Curved passing timing
Move Examples
The following dressage moves would use Passing Transitional Timing.
Revolve - curl-over towards partner
Windfall - curl towards partner
Bambi - explained in our elite dictionary
Passing Transitional Timing is used in any dressage move that has timing related to a partner (when the riders do the move called with a partner).
Note, for most partner moves the riders should not be directly across from each other and instead should be to one side of one another: left-to-left (left shoulder to left shoulder).
How To Perform
Nose-To-Nose
Nose-to-nose passing timing (the most commonly used type of passing timing) is used for any move that involves partners performing the move together. The riders will begin the move called once their horse's nose is in line with their partner's horse's nose.
example Revolve
Two riders moving towards each other (left-to-left) will curl-over towards their partner once their horse's nose has reached their partner's horse's nose.
Nose-To-Tail
Nose-to-tail passing timing, similar to nose-to-nose, is used for any move that involves partners performing the move together. The riders will begin the move called once their horse's nose is in line with their partner's horse's tail. The key difference with nose-to-tail is that is creates a larger spacing between the partners.
example Keyhole Pass
Two riders in trot are coming towards each other left-to-left (5 meters apart). Once both of the rider's horse's nose has reached their partner's tail, they Keyhole towards each other - resulting in the riders passing one another.
Curved Passing Timing
Curved passing timing is used for circle or shape nose-to-nose partner moves. Similar to curved comb alignment, the angle of the circle or shape must be taken into account. The riders will perform the nose-to-nose partner move when they are half of a horse length away from their partner's nose.
example Mars (explained in our elite dictionary)
During step 3 of Mars, go-ahead-go is called for the evens to curl-over towards the odd riders once at curved passing timing. This will merge the even riders back into the odd rider's circle (evens are on a 7.5 meter circle, odds 10 meter circle). Once the even riders are half horse length away from their odd partner's horse's nose they will curl-over towards them, merging the evens into the odd's circle.
Passing Timing Demo
In the rider POV video, the two riders perform Revolve (curl-over towards partner). The riders perform Revolve using Nose-to-Nose Passing Timing: once the rider reaches their partner's nose, they begin the move. On the rider's own screen they should see themselves begin the move before their partner, this is due to screen delay.
rider pov
In the commander POV video, you can see the two riders doing the move at the same time, even though there is no "go" being called, as they are using Nose-to-Nose Passing Timing to perform the move.
commander pov
When passing timing is performed correctly, the commander should see the partners do the move at the same time, however, the rider should see themselves do the move first on their own screen and not at the same time as their partner (yay, screen delay!). The riders should never cut through each other - they should always pass each other.
Passing Timing is often used with "Go-Ahead-Go", not an immediate go.
Go-Ahead-Go Example:
During the move Mars, the riders are currently in a rotary (odds on 7.5 meter circle and evens on a 5 meter circle).
The even riders are going to curl-over to merge into the odds circle. The evens will merge back into the odds circle once they've reached curved passing timing with their odd partner (half horse away from partner's nose).
Once ready, the commander will call the the following command:
"Curl-over to merge into odd's circle at curved passing timing with partner... Go-Ahead-Go"
Once the even riders reach curved passing timing with their partner, they will curl-over to merge.
6.
Marker Timing
How It Works
Marker Transitional Timing is used for any move that is based on markers instead of go's. Any dressage move can use maker timing; instead of the Commander calling go for a move, the riders will do the move themselves once they've reached the specified marker (sand lines, bright dots, spacings, letters, crosshairs, etc.).
There are 3 types of marker timing:
1. Nose-to-marker
2. Hooves-to-marker
3. Tail-to-marker
Each type is designed for different types of moves.
Move Examples
Any dressage move can use marker timing. See our elite dictionary for examples of marker timing being used.
Marker Timing is extremely useful in complex dressage routines as it allows different riders to perform a variety of moves on their own, thus freeing up commanding space for the commander as they do not have as many go's to call.
How To Perform
Nose-To-Marker
Nose-to-marker timing is used for moves where the rider continues foreword or when the rider will turn onto a new sand line after the move, such as L-Corners, splits, merges, cuts, curl comb, etc.
Once the rider's horse's nose reaches the marker specified, they begin the move called.
Tail-To-Marker
Tail-to-marker timing is used for moves where the rider is placed back in space, such as a keyhole.
The rider will perform the move once their horse's tail is overtop of the marker specified.
For example, if a rider is trotting towards E wall on midline and keyholes right at tail-to-marker timing with centerline, they will then end up on centerline trotting towards C wall.
Hooves-To-Marker
Hooves-to-marker timing is used for halt sets and formations or line-ups that use markers.
Riders will stand with their front hooves on top of the marker. This ensures that all of the riders are standing evenly in their formations and therefore arena timing will not be negatively affected.
Nose-To-Marker Demo
In the video the rider performs a Curl Comb at center line using Nose-To-Marker timing. Once the rider's horse's nose reaches center line they begin the Curl Comb. After the Curl Comb, the rider is straight over center line.
Tail-To-Marker Demo
In the video the rider performs a Keyhole at center line using Tail-To-Marker timing. Once the rider's horse's tail reaches center line they begin the Keyhole. After the Keyhole, the rider is straight over center line.
In the video the rider line performs a Keyhole at center line using Tail-To-Marker timing. Although no "go" is being called, the riders begin the move at the same time.
When marker timing is performed correctly, the riders will perform the move called without any go's.
Marker Timing and Passing Timing both use "Go-Ahead-Go" which is not an immediate go, instead the riders will begin the move once they've reached their specific marker or time.
Go-Ahead-Go Example:
During a routine, the riders will exit a 10 meter circle into tier alignment on the tight tier sand lines going towards A wall. The commander will call the command before the riders reach the specified marker.
Once ready, the commander will call the the following command:
"Exit circle at A onto tight tier lines in tier alignment... Go-Ahead-Go"
Once the riders reach the tight tier sand lines at the A wall side of the circle, they will exit the circle onto the tight tier lines in tier alignment.
7.
Timing in Routines
Examples of Timing
PQL's routines are majority "no go" and instead the riders use Transitional Timing to perform the routines. This allows each rider to know exactly where they should be during the routine while also allowing the commander more freedom to provide feedback as they are not having to constantly call many go's. With having so many go's back to back, it can be difficult for both the riders and commanders to keep track of which go is who's; therefore, transitional timing makes commanding more clear during routines.
Below are a few examples of PQL routines using Transitional Timing! The sequences below have little to no go's and instead the riders are performing themselves using specific markers and timing.
Game of Thrones
Timestamp: 1:48
In PQL's "Queen of The Ashes" routine, the Cremello Marwari and three Dragon riders perform nearly the entire routine without any go's and instead use markers and timing throughout the entire performance!
This is Our Legacy
Timestamp: 1:10 - 2:46
In PQL's live performance of "This is Our Legacy" the first few minutes of the routine is entirely marker and timing based, the rider's are performing the complex moves without any go's! The only go's being used are for exiting/entering global store.
Every PQL routine uses markers and transitional timing!
