The tear drop requires you to go up the rail, then turn off the rail. Let's take a moment to analyze just that movement.
First off, you are going down the rail. When you're on the rail, make sure your on the rail. This means that your horse is moving in a straight line, parallel to the rail, with good energy and tempo (not too fast, not too slow but with plenty of energy). Take a look at your horse's body position as you go down the rail. Is he pointing diagonally outward with his shoulders? Does he move in a slight angle pointed out to the rail? Note also your own body alignment. If your shoulders are pointing out to the rail, then you're horse's shoulders are also right there with you!
If so, then be sure to do a shoulder-fore to regain straightness in the horse's body. By bringing your horse's shoulders in toward the center of the ring - even if it's just literally a foot inward - you will help your horse straighten through the spine and travel in a true line. The shoulder-fore will also help set up your departure from the rail into the half circle of the tear drop with a mild bend and flexion.
Prepare to come off the rail with a half-halt. Then leave the track.
Know where you want the horse's feet to go ahead of time. Plan about a quarter circle ahead, and take him there. Now that you're off the track, you need to keep your horse more "between your legs and hands" because there is no rail to help keep him up!
The turn can be simplified if you move your body as a whole. Try to keep as calm and quiet as you can in your body. Don't think too much about your individual hand and leg aids. Do it all together, at once, and it should all fall into place fairly organically. You can always adjust one aid if necessary as you go along.
A common error here is to actually pull on the reins to start the turn. "Steering" with your hands often causes the horse to fall off balance, scramble into the turn even while you're still cranking his head and neck around.
In contrast, keep your hands in front of the saddle and allow the horse to turn more off your seat and leg aids. Your hands should do very little in terms of turning, and only come into play if you need a half-halt if the energy forward is too strong, or a half-halt on one rein if the horse is falling in to the middle or drifting out too far to the outside. Otherwise, keep your hands (and elbows) quiet and soft and staying in front of the saddle just above the withers.
Ride the turn with your own body. Don't lean in any direction but your shoulders can be facing the direction of travel exactly with your horse's shoulders. Avoid getting left behind in the movement or falling ahead of the movement.
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
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