Trot – Working

working trot in dressage

Purpose of the Working Trot in Dressage

The working trot in dressage demonstrates that the horse is moving with regular rhythm, active hindquarters, elastic contact, and sufficient impulsion while remaining balanced and easily adjustable.

Technical Definition

Working trot is a two-beat gait in which the horse moves with diagonal pairs of legs separated by a brief moment of suspension.

The horse should move forward with active, even steps of moderate length and height, maintaining a regular rhythm, consistent tempo, and elastic connection to the rider.

The working trot may be ridden in either rising trot or sitting trot, depending on the movement being performed and the requirements of the test.

Plain English Explanation

Think of the working trot as your horse’s “everyday dressage trot.”

It isn’t as slow as a collected trot, nor as big and ground-covering as a medium or extended trot. Instead, it is the comfortable, balanced trot from which almost everything else develops.

Depending on the exercise or test, you may ride the working trot either:

  • Rising trot, where the rider rises and sits alternately with each stride.
  • Sitting trot, where the rider remains seated throughout every stride.

Rider Aids

  • Sit balanced and centered with your seat following the horses movement.
  • Use both legs to encourage an active, forward trot without rushing.
  • Maintain a soft, elastic contact, riding the energy forward in to both reins.
  • Make small half-halts as needed to maintain rhythm, balance and tempo.

Rising Trot

  • Rise naturally from the horse’s movement and sit softly back into the saddle.
  • Keep the lower leg quiet and stable.
  • Continue following the contact with relaxed elbows.
  • Rise on the correct diagonal unless instructed otherwise by the movement.

Sitting Trot

  • Allow the pelvis to follow the horse’s back rather than bouncing.
  • Sit deeply without gripping with the knees or thighs.
  • Keep the core engaged while allowing the hips to stay supple.
  • Maintain even weight through both seat bones.
  • Avoid using the reins for balance.

What the Judge is Looking For

The judge wants to see:

  • A clear, regular two-beat rhythm.
  • Consistent tempo throughout.
  • Active hind legs stepping underneath the body.
  • Relaxation through the back.
  • Elastic, steady contact.
  • Straightness on straight lines.
  • Correct bend on circles and turns.
  • Balance appropriate for the horse’s level.
  • Smooth, unobtrusive riding.

In rising trot, judges are looking for a rider who follows the movement naturally without disturbing the horse’s balance.

In sitting trot, the rider should appear deep, quiet, and independent, following the horse’s movement without bouncing or restricting the back.

Common Mistakes

Horse:

  • Losing rhythm.
  • Running instead of lengthening the stride.
  • Becoming flat and inactive.
  • Hollowing the back.
  • Leaning on the contact.
  • Falling onto the forehand.
  • Crookedness.

Rider:

  • Posting too high in rising trot.
  • Rising from the stirrups instead of the horse’s movement.
  • Bouncing heavily in sitting trot.
  • Driving every stride with the seat.
  • Holding the horse together with the reins.
  • Looking down.
  • Allowing inconsistent rein contact.

Appears In

The working trot appears throughout almost every dressage level.

  • Introductory
  • Preliminary
  • Novice
  • Elementary
  • Medium
  • Advanced Medium
  • Advanced
  • FEI Levels (Prix St Georges through Grand Prix)

At the lower levels it is predominantly ridden in rising trot, while sitting trot becomes increasingly common as horse and rider progress through the levels and the horse develops greater strength and collection.

Training Scale

  • Rhythm – Maintains a regular, clear two-beat rhythm and consistent tempo.
  • Suppleness – Encourages the horse to swing through the back while remaining relaxed.
  • Connection – Develops a steady, elastic contact from the hind legs into the rider’s hands.
  • Impulsion – Builds greater activity and carrying power from the hindquarters.
  • Straightness – Provides the foundation for accurate lines, lateral work, and transitions.
  • Collection – Creates the balanced, engaged working trot from which collected work can gradually develop.

Prerequisites

Before introducing a correct working trot, the horse should be able to:

  • Walk calmly in a consistent contact.
  • Maintain a regular trot rhythm.
  • Respond willingly to the leg aids.
  • Accept an elastic rein contact.
  • Travel reasonably straight on straight lines.
  • Maintain balance on large circles.

The rider should be able to sit in balance independently of the reins and confidently ride both rising and sitting trot.

Leads To

A correct working trot forms the basis for:

  • Medium trot
  • Collected trot
  • Extended trot
  • Lengthened stride in trot
  • Shoulder-in
  • Travers
  • Renvers
  • Half pass
  • Leg yield
  • Rein back transitions
  • Halt transitions
  • Flying change preparation
  • Piaffe and Passage at the highest levels

Exercises to Improve

Transitions Between the gaits (Walk – Trot – Walk)

Spiral Circle

Transitions within the gait – Lengthen and Return

Pole Work in Working Trot

Troubleshooting

The horse speeds up instead of improving the trot

Use half-halts to rebalance before asking for more activity. Think about increasing the quality of the steps rather than simply riding faster.

The horse becomes lazy

Ride prompt upward transitions, use well-timed leg aids, and reward an immediate reaction. Avoid nagging with constant leg pressure.

The horse feels tense

Return to a simpler exercise, ride larger figures, and encourage the horse to stretch while maintaining rhythm.

The rider bounces in sitting trot

Develop sitting trot gradually. Ride only short periods initially, focus on following the horse’s movement through the hips, and alternate with rising trot until both horse and rider are strong enough to maintain relaxation.

The rider posts unevenly

Check that you are rising from the horse’s movement rather than pushing from the stirrups. Maintain equal weight in both stirrups and keep your shoulders level.

The horse leans on the contact

Ride frequent transitions and half-halts to encourage self-carriage rather than supporting the horse with the reins.