If you are a group of four people or less, you should position yourself in a vertical upfield line, equidistant one behind the other, five or six yards apart, or whatever distance is decided by you or your coach. Then, each person takes a turn to be the leader playmaker, doing turns, circles, halts and any other variation of direction decided upon.

This exercise requires even more looking than when in the horizontal line, and probably much more adjusting, especially if the playmaker is behind you. Even with only two people, this exercise is excellent for improving the skills required for accurate pony control when under pressure. Also, any pony that takes part will benefit from the schooling that is not related to the ball.

The leader playmarker should not allow the exercise to go out of control, and must slow down or even halt, if necessary, to permit others to regain their correct position. The tactical dimension of the vertical line is of extra signification, in change that of direction and distances between people often alter outside your view, and must then be adjusted to quickly. Even so, better late than never. This requires constant use of legs and forces the weak riders to make the ponies follow them, while regaining lost.