| Have you ever wondered why it is so difficult to get | | | | metre circle. As you approach X (the imaginary |
| your horse into the corners of the riding school, and | | | | marker in the middle of the school), go straight for a |
| why he/she tries to stick firmly to the track made by | | | | couple of paces before bending in the opposite |
| the other horses? Riding school horses are notoriously | | | | direction and starting a half 20 metre circle which will |
| adept at this. | | | | take you round to C. |
| How a horse will take the corner depends both on the | | | | For a complete 20 metre figure of eight start at A, and |
| rider's skill and the ability of the horse itself. Riding | | | | complete the first half circle. As you approach X, go |
| school horses are normally well schooled, and quite | | | | straight for a couple of paces before starting asking |
| capable of riding closely round the corners, however if | | | | for the change of bend and commencing the second |
| you watch it will take a competent rider to get them to | | | | 20 metre circle. This will take you round to X again. |
| consistently do so! It also depends on your pace and | | | | After a couple of paces straight, change bend and |
| speed - a novice horse may be able to make the | | | | complete the exercise round to A. |
| bend equivalent to a 10m circle in medium walk, but if | | | | If this exercise is ridden in canter, the horse should be |
| he is in canter may only be able to make a 20m circle | | | | brought back to trot at X momentarily before changing |
| whilst remaining balanced. | | | | the bend and asking for canter to enable him to be on |
| Not going into the corner means they keep the angle | | | | the correct canter lead. More experienced horses can |
| of bend very shallow, which is much easier for them! | | | | perform a flying change at X in this exercise. |
| Tighter circles mean harder work! | | | | Different figures of eight can be ridden, or combined |
| Riding tighter bends is excellent to supple the horse, | | | | with other exercises (the half figure of eight above |
| and improve your position as a rider. Being able to ride | | | | can be used to change the rein). 10m figures of eight |
| bends properly helps with the horse's balance, and | | | | can be ridden between B and E. |
| enables him to go straight correctly as well. | | | | It is also possible to combine two figures of eight, and |
| Corners and turns offer the rider opportunities to | | | | introduce changes of degree of bend as well as |
| improve the horse's balance and engagement, and in a | | | | direction. |
| dressage test will show allow the judge to see how | | | | In this exercise you would start at C, and perform the |
| well the horse has been trained, and the skills of the | | | | 20 metre figure of eight, taking you back to X. Instead |
| rider. If ridden incorrectly the horse will lose balance | | | | of completing the first circle, this time you change the |
| slightly, and the judge will spot this and marks will be | | | | direction but ask for a tighter bend, and work a 15 |
| lost. | | | | metre circle. As you approach X, change the bend, |
| Figure of eight exercises are useful to help a horse | | | | and work a 15 metre circle on the opposite rein. As |
| bend properly, as they combine circle exercises on | | | | you complete this circle at X, change direction, but |
| both reins. Not only does the horse have to bend | | | | move back onto the 20 metre circle to complete the |
| correctly in one direction, a figure of eight will ask for a | | | | exercise at C. |
| change of bend in the middle. As a rider you will need | | | | Variations of this exercise can be performed, also |
| to concentrate on how you ask your horse to make | | | | using different paces. Different sizes of circle can be |
| the bend. Pulling on the inside rein should be avoided, as | | | | combined with different paces introducing a variety of |
| this will put the horse off balance and he may go | | | | transitions to increase the complexity of the exercise. |
| crooked. Instead a bend should be asked for with the | | | | Horses normally enjoy these rapid changes of bend - |
| inside leg and the outside rein. The outside rein should | | | | as well as different size circles try different paces, for |
| be an elastic contact to prevent the horse | | | | example canter the 20m figure of eight and trot the |
| overbending to the inside. The inside rein should be | | | | 15m. |
| gently applied for the correct degree of bend, but the | | | | These exercises will supple your horse, help your |
| contact on both reins should remain constant. | | | | balance and provide variety for your lessons or |
| Starting at A, walk as if you were commencing a 20 | | | | schooling sessions. |