This exercise, suitable for all levels of horses and riders, will turn you into a rider who is able to ride EFFECTIVE downward transitions - which is what is required to give you the best possible result.
For the horse, the learning happens on the release of the aid. That means if you don't release the aid, the horse will not learn.
"Don't take the tempo down without revving the engine." ~ Chris Bartle
I don't even think about aiming a young or green horse at a jump until I have them 100% in front of my leg on the flat. If you do, and the horse thinks about stopping, you will have no recourse, and will end up teaching him that
From Facebook fan Joan Dunlap ~ "Fix your position first... then the horse will adjust theirs."