No matter what level you’re doing, you have to ride corners. The general rule for riding corners is that you don’t have to go any deeper into the corners than the smallest circle done at each level.

So, the smallest circle you’re asked to do for First Level is a 10-meter circle. That means you need to get into the corner to the depth of one quarter of a 10-meter circle.

At Training Level, the smallest circle you’re required to do is a 20-meter circle. So you really don’t have to get into the corners any deeper than the arc of a 20-meter circle.

But if you can show a difference between the line that you follow when you’re going into a corner and the line that you follow when you’re on your 20-meter circle, you show that you’re a savvy rider.

If that’s pretty simple for your horse, try to show a 3-meter difference between the line you follow if you’re going into a corner and the line you follow if you’re on a 20-meter circle. That shows a real clear difference between getting into the corner and being on the arc of a circle.

Your rule of thumb, however, is to ride into the corner only as deeply as your horse can manage — that is, he can keep the same rhythm, tempo, balance and quality of his gait.

If your horse is having trouble bending in corners, here are two exercises to try:

Leg yield into corners

When you’re approaching the last letter on the long side, or A or C, turn off the track early and leg yield with a bend toward the tip of the corner.

Walk through corners

As you approach the corner, do a downward transition to the walk. Then walk deeply through the corner. You can even halt when you’re halfway through the corner.

Keep his front end on one side, his barrel toward the tip of the corner, and his hindquarters on the other side. It’s almost like his body forms a right angle. Halt in this position and pat him.

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com