To clearly show this split the line up into three sections, for example if its across the diagonal MXK, think of using the first third from M to set up these strides, to prepare and balance your horse and warn him they are coming.

Do the middle third of the diagonal line over X actually showing the lengthened strides.

Use the last third to come back and return to the working pace.

From elementary level a judge expects to see your medium strides go from marker to marker, so if it’s MXK then this means commence medium at M and return to the working or collected as described by the test at K in order to achieve high marks.

The judge is looking to see the rhythm and tempo remain the same with the steps getting longer as the horse pushes more from his hindleg and slightly lengthens his frame while remaining softly connected to the contact over a supple back.

If the horse runs onto his forehand and hurries rather than lengthens it will undoubtably appear downhill and losing balance.

Use the preceding short side and corners to prepare and set up your horse. Half halts will help take the weight back more onto the hindleg and help maintain a more uphill balance.

Keep the same soft elastic contact that you are striving for in your normal trot, don’t simply come round the corner and throw the reins away as you think the frame should lengthen. In a correct medium the frame lengthens because of the pushing power from behind, not because the rider releases the contact.

When teaching a horse medium stay initially in rising trot to encourage the back to swing but don’t allow your rising to get quicker. You have to think push with your leg but slow with your rising, a bit like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time!

The mark for the medium trot includes the transitions into and out of the medium. As you go up the levels there is sometimes a separate mark just for these transitions too. Make sure there is clear definition to these transitions with a smooth clear change without losing balance and with no resistance to the contact.

A good exercise for a horse who struggles with medium is this. Start trying your medium down the long side then keep going around a large half circle around the end, ideally if you have a long arena go medium from M to P then start a half 20 metre circle to P, then keep going on the second long side from P to H. At H come back to working by slowing your rising more keeping soft hands, don’t pull back. The medium won’t feel great round the half circle but it aids the suppleness then they often let go more through their backs on the second straight part and find a bigger trot!

A favourite of mine is using trotting poles and raised poles too but we will discuss that as a separate topic!