Set up four cones in a diamond pattern at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, each 10 meters from the center of your circle.
At the walk, ride a circle touching each cone. Focus on keeping an even bend through your horse's entire body, from poll to tail.
Check that your inside leg stays at the girth, your outside leg slightly behind the girth, and your inside rein asks for gentle flexion while the outside rein supports.
Ride 4-5 circles at the walk, then pick up a working trot and ride 4-5 more circles. Maintain the same track.
Practice seeing the next cone ahead and planning your curve. Your horse's barrel should be bending around your inside leg.
Change direction across the diagonal and repeat on the other rein. Compare the quality and ease of each direction.
Finish by removing the cones and riding the same circle from memory, checking if you maintain the same size and shape.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Letting the circle shrink to less than 20 meters, especially in the corners near the rail.
Pulling on the inside rein instead of using inside leg to create bend.
Looking down at the horse instead of looking ahead to the next quarter of the circle.
Losing rhythm or tempo as you navigate the circle.
Variations & Progressions
Try 15-meter circles for an added challenge, requiring more bend and balance from your horse.
Add transitions within the circle: walk to trot and back to walk, maintaining the same track.
Ride a figure-eight using two 20-meter circles, changing bend smoothly through X.
Tip: Film yourself from above if possible. Seeing your track from a bird's-eye view reveals asymmetries you can't feel from the saddle.
