The flying change is a movement performed by a horse in which he changes leads at the canter. It is often seen in dressage, where the horse may do several changes in sequence (tempi changes), in reining as part of the pattern, or in jumping events, where a horse will change lead as it changes direction on the course.

The Purpose of the Flying Change

A horse is better balanced when he is on the correct lead of the canter. The horse's leading leg is the last leg to touch the ground, and this should usually be his inside fore. If he is on the wrong lead, he will have a much harder time making turns.

In jumping, the flying change is essential, as a horse on the incorrect lead may become unbalanced on the turn, and then have an unbalanced take-off and may hit a rail. It is also possible that the horse will fall should he be asked to make a tight turn.

For show hunters, a poor or missed flying change usually results in a drastic fall in the standings for the class. In show jumping and the eventing jumping phases, the flying change is not judged, but correct leads are essential should the rider wish to stay balanced enough to jump each fence with the horse's maximum power and agility.

Additionally, single changes are asked for in some dressage tests, in the mid-levels of Grand Prix dressage and the upper levels of eventing (dressage phase). These are judged on their smoothness, promptness, and the submission of the horse. Reining competition also judges single changes, which are asked for in the middle of figure-eights.

In reining and reined cow horse events, flying lead changes occur as judged elements of a pattern as the horse will exhibit a lead change in each direction of a figure eight pattern.

The Simple Change

The simple change is a way to change leads on a horse that has not yet learned how to preform a flying change. In most cases, riders change leads by preforming a few steps of the trot, before coming back to the opposite lead of the canter. However, a true simple change asks for the horse to preform a canter-walk-canter transition. This requires more balance from the horse, and more finesse in timing the aids from the rider. Simple changes going through the walk are used as stepping stones for the flying change, asking the horse for more self-carriage that is needed for the flying change.

Tempi Changes

While a single change is often performed to change direction, tempi changes are seen in dressage at the upper levels. In a test , tempi changes may be a change every stride (one-tempis), every two strides (two tempis), three strides (threes), or four strides (fours). The number of strides per change begins at four, which gives the horse and rider lots of time to prepare, and as the horse and rider become more proficient the number decreases to one-tempis. When a horse performs one-tempi changes, it often looks like it is skipping.

Tempi changes are very difficult movements and are not asked for until the advanced tests of dressage. The may be performed across the diagonal or on a circle.

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