Horseshoe Reel
devised by Chris Kermiet
This is an easy reel that works especially well for new dancers. I use it often at weddings and other one-night stands. All dances are variants of something that’s come before. This is a variant of a British ceili dance called Keswick Galopede. For "dance to your partner" simply substitute "long lines go forward and back". Use all walking steps (original has rant stepping).
Longways set for as many as will. (Works best for 6 - 9 couples)
32-bar reel (medium speed)
A: Long lines go forward and back (8).
Hands joined.
Men arch, change sides (8).
Men raise their joined hands making arches. Ladies let go, and all change sides, ladies passing underneath the arches. All face in and reform your long lines.
A2: Long lines go forward and back (8).
Ladies arch, change sides (8).
Ladies raise their joined hands making arches, men passing underneath the arches.
B1: Top couple slide to the bottom (8).
Top couple join both hands and slide to the bottom. When they get there they join hands along the lines, and keep their other hands joined across the set, turning it into a horseshoe shape, and raising their joined hands to make an arch.
Make a horseshoe shape. New top couple lead down the middle (8)
New top couple, without letting go of hands, leads their entire line down the middle, through the arch at the bottom, and back up the outside.
B2: Through the arch, and up the outsides (16).
Everyone follows them through the arch, INCLUDING THE COUPLE MAKING THE ARCH, who turn and go under their own arms and end up at the bottom of the set.
Dance repeats with this new top couple.
If sets are not too long, this dance can easily go twice through. (Each couple gets to be the top couple twice.) If sets are long, once through may be enough. With shorter sets, this dance often phrases with the music, but it may get off, especially with longer sets.