Demi something!

[qwerty]

I think it could have been a demi vaulté! Anyway...in my lesson today, I was asked to do one of these from A to H. Is this meant to be one smooth curve or an A to X to H? I have done it both ways in normal lessons with different teachers but now I have private lessons and I am getting really confused. When ever I don't know something, the teacher gets mad! NR really helps so I hope it will help with this one! :cool: I think this move is sometimes called an 'ice-cream cone' but not 100%!

[intouch]

Hi Querty, a volte is a small circle, so yes, a demi volte is a half circle and usually used in the school to change the rein by returning to the track on a diagonal line, thus the "Ice cream cone". Not often used these days and I'm not surprised you didn't know what it was - only surprised that you were expected to know without explanation! I would have expected it to be performed from E to H, but I may be wrong. Next time, ask for an explanation - then let me know!

[qwerty]

So, should it be a smooth curve or two straight lines?

[floppy]

i belive it should not be 2 straight lines but should be a smooth gradual curve from A to H i was trying to find a picture but they dont have on on this site.
i cant really explain it..
a demi volt would be just a half circle the you would most likely do along the striaght to change direction.
going from A to H would be changing direction but not really in a half circle way..i have no idea what it is in english but mayeb if you study the set up of a manege then you will see what its suppose to be like
http://www.newrider.com/Starting_Out/The_Manege/manege.html
you can use you mouse to go round the manege and from A turn and go down in asmothish curve towards H and MAYBE you get what its all about..
ok that was a rubbish explanation..but try it ;)

[Wally]

Simply not knowing something is no reason for you to get shouted at, what in heaven's name is the instructor there for if not to teach you?

[Bebe]

It's a while since I've done one but this is what I can remember from my lessons.

The half circle coming off the track is ridden as any small circle would be, correct bend throughout the horses body and a nice, even rythm. As you reach the end of the half circle, you proceed in a diagonal line back to the track, correcting the bend and flexion approx 1 stride before you hit the track.

A reverse demi-volte is when you ride the diagonal line part then the half circle. You do it the same as a demi-volte but change the bend as you get to the point where you begin the half of the circle.

BTW, volte is a word (German I think) that means small circle (usually 8 metres or less but most people do 10m demi-voltes). Demi means half so a demi-volte = half small circle.

Probably more than you wanted to know (and I hope it's correct, got an awful feeling that what I've written as a demi-volte is actually a reverse and vice-versa. Either way, the principle is the same).

Amanda

[floppy]

i would have thought a volte was a 10m circle because a normal circle is about 20m
as to whether volte is a german word ..idont know..its not in the dictionary..circle in german is kreis.

but it would be silly to use a french adn a german word together wouldnt it? seeing as demi is half in french..i woudl have thought the whole saying was french!

[Bebe]

May well be French, did say "I think" (I'm better at Spanish, gave up on German and French a long time ago!).

A true volte is definitely 8-6 metres though.

Amanda

[floppy]

:)
hehe ..i gave up on frnech too after 7yrs of torture..

i cant remember reallyl how big the circles ar eas i havent had a dressage lesson for a couple of months now (which agravates me alot!)

especially as my circles have deloped little points nad now look like eggs :)

[Bebe]

At least your circles are vaguely circle shaped then, mine start off quite nicely and then end up going all wobbly, the tracks in the arena look like a design for a roller coaster - up, down, wobble wobble - you get the picture!:rolleyes:

Amanda

[qwerty]

I am still really confused! Can anyone use the picture of the manage on this site, copy it into paint (or something) and draw on what at demi volte should look like from A to H.
PLEASE:)

[floppy]

bebe, yeh i can imagine, i been through all that too hence the reason i nick-named my cousins horse wobble (h's real name is wirbel but he responds quite nicely to wobble)

[intouch]

I'm no good at the finer points of the web, but try to imagine, riding from H to E, a 5m half circle from E to the quarter line, then head straight back towards the track at H. Best I can do.

[floppy]

i sent qwerty a diagram adn i hope it helps :D

[qwerty]

Yes it did!
I am told to come of the track before A but the horse refused to move last week...any advice on that too!

[floppy]

was the diagram right? hehe
a horse that doesnt move been on this subject may a times on this board, make sur eyou give the signals clearly and back your leg up with a whip. If the horse was used for a lesson before your sor it was a really humid day you cant blame the poor sole for being lazy!

[Mazpup]

I drew this on paint - im not sure if its right someone tell me if its wrong

[floppy]

well we would..hehe but you havent managed the art of posting links or pictures on here!
i also drew one for qwerty in paint it seems to have done the trick :)

[Mossy]

I am stepping onto territory I am unsure of here but two thoughts spprimg to mind.
1 It is usual to learn the basics of a language before you are expected to speak it!
2 Is your rinstructor interested in instructing, ie furthering the art of horsemanship, or merely blowing her own trumpet and being paid to do it!? She sounds appalling. I would have voted with my feet ages ago.

[Mazpup]

i went back to edit that post and i clicked delete post - but it obviously didnt work - o well....

[Yann]

I did one in my lesson this week, just as a bit of something new and to try and help improve my turning and control. I had to ask my instructor what the technical name was, I think she didn't want to baffle me with technical terms:) She said it is normally ridden at sitting trot but I did it at walk and rising. I agree with the others qwerty, your instructor sounds horrible:(

The term is french, volte meaning to change direction as in volte-face. Presumably the demi bit indicates the half size circle.