re Kat's post

elammal@erols.com
Mon, 6 Jan 1997 13:35:19 -0500

Diane was correct - extension comes from collection - the hindquarters come
further under the belly and there is a push off the hocks which is equaled
in reach by the shoulders. It is incorrect if the front leg comes in front
of the nose because the horse must withdraw the foot to set it down. This
is an indication that the back is not free.

At First Level, only lengthening of the stride is called for. This requires
only that the horse lengthen his outline or frame and show a longer stride.
Engagement of the hindquarters is not called for. In any case the rhythm
should stay the same as either the working or collected trot. If it gets
faster, the horse is generally considered to be running, or on the forehand
with the hindquarters getting lighter (this assumes that the horse was
performing a working trot [about 7 mph] to begin with).

Beverley Fields, dressage judge and FEI dressage competitor, event rider,
trainer and instructor.