How do I develop correct canter departures and a balanced canter for English pleasure?

The canter in English pleasure must be on the correct lead, balanced, and rhythmic from the first stride of the departure through the entire time the class is worked at the canter. A wrong lead departure is a major fault that costs significant points and is impossible to hide from an observant judge. A canter that is correct in lead but unbalanced, four-beat, or rough in its first several strides as the horse organizes itself loses points through the period of disorganization even if it eventually settles correctly. Building correct, balanced canter departures from the beginning of the training program prevents both types of error. The setup for a correct canter departure in English pleasure is similar to any discipline — the horse should be positioned with a slight inside bend, the outside leg slightly back to signal the departure, and the inside rein inviting the horse to step into the leading leg. The timing of the aid matters: asking as the horse's outside hind leg is leaving the ground gives it the mechanical opportunity to step into the correct lead in the next stride. The canter itself should be balanced and three-beat from the moment of departure. A horse that canters in balance carries itself with a natural arc through its body on the leading side, its hindquarters engaged and carrying rather than pushing loosely behind the motion. Building this balance requires work on both leads with equal attention, because most horses have a naturally easier lead and a more difficult one, and the difficult lead must be developed to match the easy one rather than neglected because it is harder to achieve. Transitions into and out of the canter contribute to the judge's evaluation of the horse's training. A trot-to-canter transition that is prompt, smooth, and immediately on the correct lead demonstrates responsiveness. A canter-to-trot transition that is equally smooth demonstrates balance and control. Practicing both transitions as deliberately as the gaits themselves produces a complete picture that competitive English pleasure classes reward.