Every horse riding exercise is based on the circle exercise. Circles help the horse to be able to bend equally in each direction, and this also helps the horse maintain straightness.

Circles are a very important part of any dressage test - a dressage test at all levels will include combinations of circles of varying sizes, at different paces and in different parts of the arena.

When a horse walks a circle he bends his body to match the curvature of the circle - this is called the correct degree of bend. It is important when asking for a circle that the rider imagines a circle drawn on the ground, and tries to follow it. The horse must not lean to the outside and make the circle too wide, or drift in, and make the circle smaller. By practicing these bends the horse becomes more supple.

Most horses find one direction of bend easier than the other. These horse riding exercises are a great way to even up the horses muscles.

The first circle exercise you will be asked to do is a 20m circle. This basically splits the 40m arena into 2, with the start of the circle at letter A or C, as below, and the mid point of the circle crossing through the imaginary letter X in the centre.

A 15m circle should take you five metres inside of X. It is a tighter circle, and will ask for more bend from your horse.

The smaller circle is the 10m, which will use up one quarter of the arena.

The circle exercises can be performed anywhere in the school - you may be asked for a 20m from A, C, E or B. 20m circles from B or E will take you from one side of the school to the other.

In beginner lessons riders will usually ride a circle as a group, or the instructor will tell you which letter to start from. In more advanced lessons riders may be working in open file, and the instructor will ask all riders to work a circle wherever they choose. In these lessons it is important to remember your school etiquette, and if you are going large (riding round the outside of the arena) you should ‘give way’ to the horse and rider completing a circle, and let them back onto the track in front of you.

In your first lessons you will walk or trot circle horse riding exercises. Later on you will perform canter circles. This is an excellent way of improving your balance.

Circles in the Dressage Test

At the Preliminary level of dressage (level 1) you will need to show 20m circles in trot and canter, and half 10m circles in walk. At the advanced level you will need to show an 8m circle in collected canter. For more information on the movements at each level visit the Dressage page at http://www.limebrook.com/dressage.html

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It is like nothing you have ever tried in the past. Picture yourself racing up and down hills, though woods, across fields and back. The breeze in your face and pulling at your hair, the sun beats down, and all you can hear, bedsides the sound of yourself laughing and screaming with joy, is the sound of hooves pounding down on hard soil. The speed, the independence, the sense of adventure, few activities in the world can rival horseback riding for real excitement.

Learning how to ride a horse can be loads of fun. Whether you wish to ride for the sense of freedom or you are just a horse lover, it can be very rewarding. With just some essential gear and a good teacher you can be on the way to having hours of fun. There are many different styles of horseback riding. The primary styles are Western and English. Western style is easier to learn and not as strict as the English style. If you are just riding for fun, look for a trainer that will train in the Western style. Although, if you think you might be attracted in riding for show, it might be significant to learn the English style.

When taking horseback riding lessons make certain you let your trainer know that you are a beginner. This way they will put you on a horse that is slower and properly trained. It is important that you get a horse that is effortless to ride for your safety and your confidence.

Numerous books have been written on the subject of horseback riding, but so many of them have gone into such depth, that the novice or the hopeful rider very soon gets bogged down in the technicality.

There is no substitute for appropriate instructions by an expert. If your son or daughter is nagging you into having riding lessons, there are many books on the subject that will get them started, but bear in mind there is no substitute for proper instruction.

When looking for an instructor, it is best to ask around and see who people prefer, do not just respond an advertisement. Many professional instructors will have teaching certifications and first aid experience. Other instructors have just learned themselves and are willing to attempt to teach you. No matter who you choose make sure they have a temperament that you get along with. Also make sure that they teach the style you want to learn.

The equipment you require for the horse is called tack. This includes everything from the saddle to the reins and stirrups. This can be costly to buy on your own. Usually the instructor can provide the equipment. It is important that you check over the saddle and reins before each ride for signs of wear and for a proper fit.

Safety should be your number one concern when learning to ride. Always be sure to wear a helmet and long pants in case you fall. Many people don’t wear a helmet when riding, but it should be required attire for anyone riding a horse.

Learning to ride a horse can bring a enormous sense of freedom. By finding a good instructor and a caring horse you are well on your way. Remember horses are very stronganimals so always be sure to wear your helmet and ride with friends. Accidents can take place when you least anticipate them.

John Wrigley maintains blogs and websites on many subjects. If you would like to visit his blog on Horse Training - Horse Riding go to: http://horse–training.blogspot.com
or his website at http://horse-training.onlineinfomationsite.com

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With sandy going for as far as the horses can take us and wide fire breaks
for exhilarating canters and gallops — the forests of Andalusia offer riding
that’s hard to find elsewhere. Couple this with trips to the beach, the Royal School of
Equestrian Art at Jerez, year-round sunshine and wonderful food and you have a
holiday that is hard to beat. And with cheap flights to Spain from many European
destinations, it’s a good deal financially too.

Los
Alamos has been running equestrian holidays since 2001 and has quickly
become well respected. It is run by a British family and offers the perfect
combination of action and relaxation. Sisters Rhiannon and Rachel are gifted
horsewomen, evident from the well-trained and well looked after horses and their
choice of talented staff — Kathy and José. The mornings are filled with fun rides in
the umbrella pine forests surrounding the hacienda or cantering along the surf of
nearby beaches. The afternoons are free for relaxation around the hacienda - if you
have a hire car, there’s plenty to see in the area. If not, you can take a stroll in the
forest or down to the beach. Our group? We just had a constant house party, wine
and chat, video sessions, fun in the pool, pleasantly wiling away the afternoons until
Rhiannon served a scrumptious dinner around 8.30pm.

For lunch each day we’d either stop at a taverna with the horses tied up outside or
we’d head back to Los Alamos and all sit round a big stone table in the shade for
cold meats, tortilla and salads. In the evening we were served a three course
meal with lovely home made dishes such as shepherds pie and sausage and
lentil casserole. It’s a good job we were riding every day or we’d all have come home
a tad heavier.

I met Sharon and Steph, two riders who were on their fourth trip to Los Alamos
at the airport. When they raved about the canters and gallops down hill — with
names such as the rollercoaster and the corkscrew — I have to admit, I was a little
worried about hectic scenes. I flashbacked to the out-of-control romps of my youth
and wondered if I was up to it. I needn’t have worried. This was pure
unadulterated fun. It was fun because it was organised, because the fear factor
was zero. While spirited and forward going, the horses are beautifully behaved, light
mouthed so that it’s easy to keep a distance from the horse in front and they seem
know when the hand of the lead rider goes up it’s time to slow down. Just as they go
from walk to gallop in a few seconds, they come back just as quickly. Forget sports
cars — give me an Andalusian horse!

Each day’s ride was different, sometimes we were mainly in the dappled shade of
sweet-smelling forests, other days we were riding along old drover’s roads past
scenes of rural Andalusia or along the coastal Roman road with views across to
Africa. On our last riding day, Saturday, we rode up to the dove cote which in the
17th century was home to 7,000 doves kept to stock ships with meat and saltpeter
for gun powder. On Wednesday we cantered along the surf of Cape Trafalgar beach
and on Thursday Kathy took us to Jerez De La Frontera where we watched an
inspirational dressage performance by Andalusian Stallions at the Royal School of
Equestrian Art, visited a tack shop, and of course, indulged in more food!

All of the horses were all impeccably behaved and forward going and it’s
obvious they really enjoy their work.There’s a fare smattering of handsome grey
Andalusians, some bays and a couple of cobs for heavier riders. My horse was
Topaz, a 15.2hh 16-y-o chestnut anglo-hispanic mare, a real doer. She required no
leg at all and always had her ears pricked forward. However with Steph and Sharon
riding up front on their favourite grey Andalusians - Treuno and Pecasa, I had to try
a purebred too. So, on beach day, I was handed Torbejeno — a handsome bay 15hh
gelding. It was wonderful to be riding an Andalusian in Andalusia and to feel the
different action. But, as is often the case, you bond with the horse you first ride, so I
claimed my lovely Topaz back for the rest of the holiday.

For those riders who are looking for some winter sun, Andalusia is perfect. The
weather was just right, warm enough for t-shirts and for a refreshing dip in the pool
but with a light breeze making three hours in the saddle a total joy. With the focus
on fun and just the right balance of riding with relaxation and food glorious food,
it’s a perfect way to re-charge your batteries mid-winter.

Joanne Stanford is the founder and editor of http://www.findaridingholiday.com — a
portal/directory of horse riding holidays with over 70 companies listed worldwide.
Compare companies for your preferred destination, plus read reviews and advice.
Jo’s holiday was with http://www.losalamosriding.co.uk - a british-run company
running riding programmes in Andalusia, Spain.

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