Counting Strides

Counting strides is crucial for riders to understand their pace on the course. Olympic Medalist Meredith Michaels Beerbaum emphasizes the importance of matching desired strides, especially when approaching combinations that require specific strides. However, she advises against counting out loud, as it can be distracting. Instead, riders should focus on reacting to their horse's movements to adjust speed and achieve the correct distance. Meredith demonstrates an exercise where her daughter, Brianne Beerbaum, practices cantering between poles of varying distances. Brianne adjusts her speed upon landing to achieve the desired number of strides. The key takeaway is to focus on the distance to the pole and react accordingly, as this helps riders maintain the appropriate speed and pace during their ride.