Circles
Circles and moves on circles are some of the hardest things to master in dressage.
Not only learning, but understanding circles takes so much time and energy.
Starting a circle
Entering a circle begins with everyone, or certain individuals following a lead to a designated point in the arena, following the curve onto a circle.
There are a few commonly used points such as the...
- CENTER LINES
- MID LINES
- DYE LINES
There are so many other ways to enter circles, but these are just some main ones.
Meter Points
4 circles are commonly used.
5 meter (1 dot away from X)
10 meter ( 2 dots away from X)
15 meter (3 dots away from X)
20 meter (4 dots away from X)
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These points can be used to help you make sure you stay on the proper sized circle.
4 other circles are less commonly used.
2.5 meter (.5 dot away from X)
7.5 meter (1.5 dots away from X)
12.5 meter (2.5 dots away from X)
17.5 meter (3.5 dots away from X)
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These are some much more exact measurements, and calculating where to hit can be done by using the dark dots.
Curving and Square points
A 'perfect' circle is when your curve from dot to dot is round. A lot of people will either slant from dot to dot, or they will hit the square meter points then turn.
Perfect circle curves
The meter square point and where not to hit
Getting a perfect curve is really difficult, so here are our recommendations to help you achieve a gorgeous and smooth circle.
When on a circle, you want to always gently 'tippy tap' or flutter your fingers on your keys.
Unlike an L corner, a circle is a gentle, and gradual curve, so the faster and gentler you tap, the better.
It's also super important to use your camera when in a circle.
To keep what looks like per moving around the circle together (with even and odd members), you need to constantly check your alignment with the others in the circle.
Finally, you can use pacer points (dots and pebbles) as markers as to when to check your alignment and gaps .
Circle Alignment
Circle alignment is very tricky and using both your camera and your understanding of gaits and adjustments is important.
EVEN CIRCLE ALIGNMENT
When there is an even number of people in a circle, you want to look like you are moving in pairs.
The delay here is different as you are curved. The way you would counteract this is by being slightly ahead.
The best, place to check your alignment is at every dot. When your back hooves are leaving the dot, your partner's front hooves should be just about to touch the dot.
Make sure you check your alignment every single time you hit a dot, and on larger circles, you can use the larger dark points and pebbles to check your alignment (make sure it is a marker you can see from far away, like on a 20 meter.).
ODD CIRCLE ALIGNMENT
When there is an odd number of people in a circle, you want to look like you are in between the triangle the two other members of the circle are making. We always recommended learning with even numbers as odd-numbered circles are much harder.
The best, place to check your alignment is at every dot. When you hit the dot, the two others around you should make a triangle with you.
Keeping this alignment is much harder so checking your alignment more frequently is important.
Checking it every 3 - 5 seconds is ideal.
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EVEN
'partner gaps'
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ODD
'triangle gaps'
gap adjustments
On a circle, you NEVER wiggle.
Although that may seem like the best way to adjust because because you don't change gaits, it is highly ineffective.
When you wiggle you deform the shape you are in. If you're in a straightaway and need a minor adjustment it is a lovely tool, but on a circle, the shape is the number 1 most important thing.
So you will just be gait hopping, or using quarter strides.
Make sure to adjust in the moments before the dot, you should be almost straight when you hit the dots, and you will accelerate less on a curve.
Circles Off X
You will notice that all circles follow a pattern:
- X & 4 DOTS -
This pattern can be replicated at any point in the arena.
You need to 'create' and X point, and then decide your 4 dots.
The 8 meter point can also be translated to any point in the arena.
These X and meter points can be translated anywhere in the arena.
When learning how to stay on track you can angle your camera at your X point as an anchor or have your commander of a traffic cone stay there as a guide.
Here are some examples of a 5, 10, and 15-meter circles.
You can always count out the meter points in dots.