Re: Dressage question


"amy" <gall@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:K9pui.13613$ya1.11461@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
| Hi again,
|
| First off, thanks for all the nice comments about my successful riding
post.

I would first like to congratulate you on the genius stroke of a name (Mr.
Shimmer bunny). : )

What is ATB?

| I have a dressage question though. I did take some dressage lessons at
one
| point and I have been watching some dressage videos and I am wondering how
| to get perfect circles?
|
| I was taught with riding from cone to cone in a diamond shape but how do
you
| memorize the circle shape when you don't have the cones to rely on
anymore?
|
| It seems so difficult but maybe I am missing something here. How long
does
| it take to get the perfect 20 meter circle?
|
| Any advise would be appreciated.
|
| Thanks again. :-)

I agree it is difficult to ride a perfect 20-m circle. If you are working
in a dressage arena, it is a bit easier because the width is 20-m,
especially if you do it at C or A. Once you get good at the ends, try it in
the middle (B,E). It's a rare person who can nail a 20-m circle without
visual cues such as being in a dressage arena IMO.

Then you can get into particulars which will help with correctly riding it,
some of which have been mentioned...

An important one which has been mentioned is straight on the circle. For
20-m, there is very little bend. Anything much larger, you can ride the
circle with no bend as I understand this business.

Try for an even texture in the reins so that you have a "driving" feel. I
had that feel during my better circles.

Also, IIRC, it means the two inside legs are describing the circle. Someone
correct me here if I'm wrong.

An interesting exercise is to ride the circle counterbent to supple the
horse and to work with the aids a bit more.

You should be dictating the roundness and size of the circle with the
outside aids. Your inside rein is not used other than to maybe keep an
inside flexion. Aside from size and shape, if you are riding the circle
correctly, you will get a sense you can give your inside hand forward and
the horse will not change anything.

Good luck.

sharon

.

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