Bolero Clinic
HORSESHOE TURN
The Horseshoe turn consists of something like a New Yorker,
followed by something like a Circle Walk with lady turning under arms.
In context:
This clip shows a HORSESHOE TURN early on, but then is followed by other figures,
including a HALF MOON. We will not be performing any dances with a HALF MOON.
This is a two-measure figure that makes up to 3/4 turn on the second measure, but usually 1/2 turn.
Raise joined hands at end of first measure.
Second measure is sort of a CIRCLE WALK where lady goes under joined lead hands during the qq beats.
Timing: sqq; sqq
Man:
SD & FWD, -, SLP FWD, BK;
FWD TRN, -, FWD TRN, FWD TRN;
Woman:
SD & FWD, -, SLP FWD, BK;
FWD TRN, -, FWD TRN, TRN;
DETAILED DISCUSSION:
Horseshoe Turn takes two measures and turn 1/2. It begins with a New Yorker action and ends with a sort of Underarm Turn that changes sides.
In a facing position with lead hands joined, step side and forward R with right side stretch (woman side and fwd L) to a "V" position with lead shoulders close. Slip thru L with a checking action, like a New Yorker, shaping toward partner. Some dancers bring the lead hands thru as in a New Yorker, but preference is to leave them extended horizontally back. On the second "quick" recover R (woman recover L) and raise lead hands, leading woman to turn under. In the second measure, both step forward, the man beginning a tight LF turn and the woman beginning a tighter RF underarm turn. The man finishes with a fwd R turning, and fwd L turning to face partner (woman fwd L turning under joined lead hands, fwd R to face).
Distinguishing between the Half Moon and the Horseshoe Turn:
They both begin with a New Yorker action and they both turn 1/2.
When dancers hear one of those cues they might wonder for a moment which figure they should do.
HINT: Think that "half moon" implies a curve that describes a large arc (the woman's path as she whips across the line of dance), and "horseshoe" implies a tighter turn or a sharper arc (the paths taken by the man and woman as they tightly curve to change sides together). Of course, the Half Moon is done in a handshake, and the Horseshoe Turn is usually done with lead hands joined—maybe that will be enough for you.