How can i ride a perfect 20m circle

[eatonbraynat]

I am doing prelim dressage and have been for a few months. Problem is my circles are always wrong how the hell do you ride a good 20m circle. Is it even possible???

 

[rebchico]

you need to trot 3 strides after the letter (in a normal sized school ) and keep your inside leg firmly against the horse, whilst squeezing with the outside leg. You also need to be able to see the corner of the horses eye
That's what my instructor tells me, and it works, but maybe our horses are just amazingly used to circles haha
sorry if this doesnt help at all

 

[ester]

how are yours wrong, what are your usual comments?

from lots of writing most peoples circles or too big/egg shaped at least on one side. I think people tend not to come off the track and start turning soon enough, particularly if they are doing a circle from A for example where there is a real temptation to not come out of the corners enough.

Or they have in their heads that if from A they need to get to the E/B line but forget that they only need to clip it while still turning.

I think only practice is your solution until you work out what works for you.... maybe set out a cone (or similar) at the 4 points you need to touch but make sure you curve between them. I did a VERY interesting 12m circle last weekend!

 

[eatonbraynat]

you need to trot 3 strides after the letter (in a normal sized school ) and keep your inside leg firmly against the horse, whilst squeezing with the outside leg. You also need to be able to see the corner of the horses eye
That's what my instructor tells me, and it works, but maybe our horses are just amazingly used to circles haha
sorry if this doesnt help at all

Thank you that does help on the corners which are fenced do i come in off the track???

 

[blitznbobs]

Make sure your horse is working from the inside leg into the outside rein with a good even length bend then think about riding a diamond (for example) start at C then ride (with a bend to the track 1/2 way between the corner and E then back to X then the same hitting the track 1/2 way between B and the corner and back to C (Please note this instruction doesn't work in a 60x 20 and only in a 40 by 20....voila you'll have a perfect 20 m circle

 

[eatonbraynat]

We usually get comments such as weird shape or not the right size.

Blitznbobs - Great way to visualise it will defo try that thank you.

 

[Cliqmo]

My instructor tells me to ride a diamond and to be sure to ride precise 'turning strides' at the appropriate points

 

[eatonbraynat]

So a diamond seems to be the best way to work it out.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

learn to ride a 20 m square first! visualise the dotted line in front of you and remember the quarter markers are at 6 m on a standard 20 by 40 menage! so you need to touch the track at a or c, then 4 m down from quater markers then touch at x (if your circle is at one end) or e and b and d and g if in the centre! hope this makes sense!

 

[JenHunt]

ditto learning to ride a square! helps you to move their shoulders about too!