https://youtu.be/h854VZ_LoyE I didn’t listen to the audio on this so no idea what they’re saying, but the slow mo videos are good… The first slow mo part swaps one stride before the jump (incorrect), the second one swaps over (acceptable). Ime by the time a horse has a change that smooth they are usually comfortable jumping out of both leads. Usually it is the ones who have an awkward, flailing change who are also want to only jump from a more comfortable lead, and in those cases you definitely notice. Or they break and take a trot stride before the jump.
Dont forget you do not swap on a bending line. Hold what you have. Dunno about anybody else but I can see a slight difference in pace with a swap in a line as well as most riders trying to get the swap over a fence having an effect on the “shape“ of the jump. Talking average riders here, the 95%, not the top Pros. Most of us are better off and will score higher not fooling too much. In my opinion.
Assuming there was a “correct” lead down a line, how would you decide which lead was the correct one going down a diagonal line? This thread talks about outside lines, assuming that the horse should stay on the lead that coincides with the direction of travel. But who decides which is correct in a diagonal line? Do we change to the new lead at the first jump? Or after the line? Or are diagonal lines freebies?
I’d argue they are freebies. IMHO, it’s about economy/efficiency. If you change in the outside line, you then have to change back. Changing twice is less efficient than not changing at all. On a diagonal, you have to change once. Whether you do it over the first fence or over the second doesn’t seem important.
