Riding a 15m circle at C
I love to see all the things we like to see in a trot or canter (roundness, connection, suppleness, engagement etc) BUT ALSO an accurately sized circle in the right place.
I love to see all the things we like to see in a trot or canter (roundness, connection, suppleness, engagement etc) BUT ALSO an accurately sized circle in the right place.
This is unfortunately very rare but it does offer you folks an opportunity. If you can be accurate then it will stand out over and above others in your class that have the same quality trot or canter but cannot be accurate.
The sketch (albeit a touch smudgy for some reason) below shows an accurate circle, with the sides of the circle hitting the 2.5m point between the quarter line and the track. It’s really easy for us judges sitting at C to see if you are accurate to these points. It’s a little harder for us to see where you are in relation to I at the lower end of the circle if sitting at C.
This weekend I’ll be sitting at M and B so I WILL be able to asses the lower point accuracy.
Tips....
- Don't just be accurate, but be precisely accurate.
- Look, with soft eyes, inwards on the circle to measure points within the circle to be precise, like quarter lines and markers.
- Keep the bend consistent for the entire circle with strides uniform and flowing through a supple back.
- Watch the ears and avoid resistances (ears back)
- Ensure a positive yet elastic contact in the outside rein, without allowing your horse to lean.
- Keep him active, round and ‘in front of the leg’.
- Ride the circle as something you ‘own’, with your body upright and soft, shoulders facing slightly inwards.
