The 20m counter canter circle.
Congratulations! If you have followed the steps in this exercise then you have systematically and athletically developed your horse in preparation for the counter canter 20m circle. Your horse should now be physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to succeed on the 20m circle.
String together some simple loops, add a few strides and skip a corner before riding the 10m true canter circle (modified loop exercise) , add a few more strides of counter canter and skip 2 corners before riding a 10m circle in true canter (demi circle exercise). When it is good and balanced, then you are ready for the next step.
Let’s start in the corner by M on the right lead, ride a 10m circle, now join up onto the 20m circle around X in the counter canter and ride it past 4 corners and then ride a 10m true canter circle into the corner near H. This should be really easy for your horse because you have taken the time to gradually build up to the full circle. You have set your horse and yourself up for success!
Now, play with linking these 10m true canter circles up with segments of 20m counter canter circles, gradually increasing the time spent in counter canter on the 20m circle. Be sure to add some straight large work . Try and ride large in counter canter. It should be easier than you think at first and the true canter should be improving noticeably!