It’s a movement you’re probably underrating, but the tips and exercises that Laura shares in this exclusive article for H&H subscribers will help boost your marks
Riding a centre line might sound simple, but learning how to do it really well – especially when there’s a square halt in there, too – takes more skill than most people think. And it’s worth making the extra effort to get it right.
“You’re marked on it twice, and it sets the tone of the test,” says Olympic medallist Laura Tomlinson. “But so many people don’t treat riding a centre line like a movement in its own right – they just ride down it, cross their fingers, and hope.
“They spend all their time on circles and lateral work, and then expect the centre line to just happen.”
How to ride a winning centre line
Judges are assessing more than just whether you hit X – they’re watching rhythm, connection and whether the horse is listening to the rider. If there’s a halt, it needs to be square, immobile for at least three seconds, and with a smooth – but direct – transition out.
A strong, straight centre line also tells the judge you mean business – and that counts, no matter the level. As Carl Hester puts it: “One of the first lessons I learnt going back some 35 years was that no matter the horse – pony, cob or warmblood – there’s no excuse not to ride straight lines and square halts.”
Whatever pace you are in, a straight centre line shows the judge you mean business.
(Image credit: Joss Ridley)
Don’t leave it to show day
Laura recommends including more centre lines in your everyday schooling – ride straight lines on the centre line and three-quarter line regularly so your horse doesn’t rely on the boards or the outside wall of a school. And make halts part of your routine, too, with a focus on squareness and stillness.
Laura also suggests riding to your horse, not just the line.
“Most horses swing their quarters one way,” she says. “If your horse tends to push their bum left, ride very slightly shoulder-fore left – it helps keep that inside hind underneath you without throwing the whole thing off.”
And don’t underestimate the power of energy.
“Too slow and you wobble – it’s like trying to ride a bike without enough momentum,” Laura adds.
“Keep the trot forward and purposeful to help your line stay true. Stay square in your own body and even in your contact. If you’re not sure you’re straight, you probably aren’t.”
A second pair of eyes is also invaluable. Ask a helper to watch, or set your phone up to film yourself riding down the centre line. Do the quarters drift? In the halt, does a hindleg step out? That kind of feedback sharpens your feel – and helps you spot habits you might not notice from the saddle.
Laura’s tips for riding a good centre line
1. If you’re doing your test in a big, spacious outdoor arena, avoid cutting the initial turn into the arena too tight – give yourself plenty of space to line it up.
2. If you’re indoors or can’t go around the outside of the arena before entering, set yourself up with a neat half 10-metre circle on your horse’s preferred rein on to the centre line.
3. Either way, pick a point above and beyond C, and lock onto it all the way down the centre line.
4. Don’t forget – in most tests, the turn at the end of the centre line is included in that first mark. Plenty of riders ride a decent centre line – then lose marks on the turn.
“When you turn off the line, you need your outside leg on to keep the quarters in check,” says Laura. “Otherwise, they just swing out and undo the straightness you’ve worked for. Whenever we ride corners or shoulder fore, yes, our inside leg is on, but our outside leg has a role as well. Otherwise, we’re just pushing them out through the outside shoulder.”
5. Avoid holding on too long in the halt – this is another mistake Laura often sees.
“As soon as you’ve asked for the halt, soften your hands and legs,” she says. “Holding even a fraction too long makes horses step back – sometimes just the weight of the reins is enough.”
She waits until the horse takes a breath before moving on. “It’s a nice way to teach them to stand quietly.”
6. Make corrections and be particular. If the halt isn’t square, Laura will either correct it quickly by taking a step forward – if the horse is prone to taking a backward step, for example – or ride forward and try again, especially with younger horses.
If you don’t have mirrors, ask a friend to watch you from the ground.
(Image credit: Joss Ridley)
Three quick exercises to improve your centre lines
1. Cones for accuracy
To train your eye and develop a feel for straightness, set out pairs of cones (or other markers) at regular intervals along the centre line, no more than a metre apart – any further and you might drift in between your markers.
Ride between them as if you’re on tracks – if you drift or wobble, you’ll know straight away.
As you and your horse gain confidence, gradually take some of the cones away. This exercise sharpens accuracy and helps with spatial awareness, which is especially useful for riders who tend to veer slightly off-centre without realising.
2. Rein release halts
Ride a centre line halt facing the wall, then release the contact slightly. The horse should stay soft and balanced – not lean or fall forward. When you go forward again, make the transition sharp and positive.
3. The “almost-halt”
This simple tweak builds balance and responsiveness. Ride toward X as if you’re going to halt, then instead ride two or three collected trot steps and move forward again.
Once your horse can do this smoothly, add a proper halt – the transition will feel more engaged, and your horse will stay lighter in your hand.
Once you add a proper halt, remember to practise your salute.
(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)
Common mistakes with centre lines
Centre lines can quickly unravel if the horse is unbalanced or behind the leg, and those problems are usually obvious to the judge
Wobbly lines often come from not enough forward intention, and poor halts are usually down to overuse of the hand
Over or undershooting the turn onto the centre line – have someone watch you, or try the cone exercise with the cones set up quite close to C to give you something to aim for
It might not be the flashiest movement – but a straight, confident centre line can say a lot.
“It shows how in tune you are with your horse, and how well the training is working,” says Laura. “It’s where judges see what kind of rider you are, before they’ve even seen your medium trot or half-pass.”
Oscar joined Horse & Hound in October 2023 and is the magazine’s dressage editor and sports manager, overseeing coverage of equestrian sport. After studying equine science at Myerscough College, he spent four years working for leading dressage rider Emile Faurie, competing at the 2015 National Dressage Championships and travelling with the yard to CDIs including Aachen and Saumur. He holds a master’s degree in Literature from York St John University (2021).
