Training

Master the 20-metre Circle – Using a Diamond

Schooling circles using ‘The Diamond Method’ develops your awareness of symmetry and improves spatial accuracy and balance.

A horse and rider performing a circle in a dressage arena.

Once you have mastered riding accurate 20-metre circles, you can use the same method for 15m and 10m circles. (Robyn Cowan photo)

By: Alison Martin | March 7, 2025

Listen to this Article

0:00

-:--

Playback Speed

you're listening to an article from horse sport.com. master the 20-metre circle – using a diamond by: alison martin. the 20-metre circle is not only about mastering your riding skills, but is also an important element in training level tests. a major part of the mark for the 20m circle in working trot, working canter and the stretchy circle is about the geometry of the circle itself! the rhythm, steadiness, connection and quality of the gait is factored in as well. while it may seem simple, achieving the perfect 20-meter circle requires practice, attention to detail, and strategic exercises to help both horse and rider execute it with balance and accuracy. here are three effective exercises to elevate your 20-meter circle riding skills. advertisement scroll to continue with content exercise 1: the diamond exercise. objective: improve accuracy and maintain a consistent shape by riding from circle point to circle point. this is valuable for all sizes of circles. 1. imagine your 20-meter circle is a clock face with four key points at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. or if you imagine a circle inside a square, the circle touches the halfway mark on each side of the square. these are the circle points. (see diagram above). 2. at first in the walk, ride a straight line from one circle point to the next circle point with a straight line in between, turning to the next circle point a few strides before the point. focus on riding straight lines between each point, curving only slightly to maintain the circular shape. once you ride from point to point, start to soften the turns and ride the straight lines on a soft curve. not only will this help you ride your circle round, but it will also be the right size. 3. once you can do it in the walk, try it trot and canter. every size circle should be ridden in quarters from circle point to circle point. tip: know your markers! mark the circle points on the arena walls or use cones/markers to ensure you are riding from point to point until you get the feel for it. aim for equal arcs between each point. riding ‘the diamond method’ develops your awareness of symmetry. over time, this method helps reinforce spatial accuracy and a balanced, supple ride. once you have got it for 20-metre circles, you can use the same method for 15m and 10m circles. tips for a perfect 20-meter circle. eyes up: always look slightly ahead to your next circle point. keeping in mind, your shoulders are to stay in line with your horse’s shoulders and your horse’s head should stay in the middle of his chest, rather than too much to the inside/outside. steady contact: keep a steady connection through the reins using both reins together to help turn from point to point. just like a bike, rather than pulling on just one side of the handle bars, you use both. use arena letters/markers: 20m x 60m and 20m x 40m arenas have similar letters, but not all the circle points are the same! know the size of your arena and mark the circle points to get the best results. knowing the dimensions of the dressage arena will help you find your circle points at the show where the circle points will not be obvious. bend and balance: ensure your horse is bending correctly around your inside leg and not drifting outward or falling in. most horses and ponies have little bend on a 20m circle, much less than you may expect. first, master riding the circle shape with steady contact in both reins, then work towards riding from inside leg to outside rein to develop a soft curve in the horse’s body. rhythm and relaxation: a balanced rhythm helps you ride from point to point and creates a harmonious picture. why mastering 20-meter circle matters. the 20-meter circle isn’t just a test requirement — it’s a foundational tool for improving communication between horse and rider. successfully riding a quality circle demonstrates your ability to maintain connection, rhythm, and control while showing that your horse is supple and attentive. incorporating these exercises into your training routine will build the skills necessary to ride accurate, balanced circles. this technique will form the basis on how to ride all size circles. as you can control the whole horse on the circle, you’ll see noticeable improvements in your horse’s flexibility, engagement, and overall performance. whether you’re preparing for dressage competitions or simply aiming to enhance your everyday riding, mastering the 20-meter circle is an essential tool for your riding. &&>

The 20-metre circle is not only about mastering your riding skills, but is also an important element in Training Level tests. A major part of the mark for the 20m circle in working trot, working canter and the stretchy circle is about the geometry of the circle itself! The rhythm, steadiness, connection and quality of the gait is factored in as well.

While it may seem simple, achieving the perfect 20-meter circle requires practice, attention to detail, and strategic exercises to help both horse and rider execute it with balance and accuracy.

Here are three effective exercises to elevate your 20-meter circle riding skills.

Scroll to continue with content

Exercise 1: The Diamond Exercise

Objective: Improve accuracy and maintain a consistent shape by riding from circle point to circle point. This is valuable for all sizes of circles.

1. Imagine your 20-meter circle is a clock face with four key points at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. Or if you imagine a circle inside a square, the circle touches the halfway mark on each side of the square. These are the circle points. (See diagram above)

2. At first in the walk, ride a straight line from one circle point to the next circle point with a straight line in between, turning to the next circle point a few strides before the point. Focus on riding straight lines between each point, curving only slightly to maintain the circular shape. Once you ride from point to point, start to soften the turns and ride the straight lines on a soft curve. Not only will this help you ride your circle round, but it will also be the right size.

3. Once you can do it in the walk, try it trot and canter. Every size circle should be ridden in quarters from circle point to circle point.

Tip: Know your markers! Mark the circle points on the arena walls or use cones/markers to ensure you are riding from point to point until you get the feel for it. Aim for equal arcs between each point.

Riding ‘The Diamond Method’ develops your awareness of symmetry. Over time, this method helps reinforce spatial accuracy and a balanced, supple ride. Once you have got it for 20-metre circles, you can use the same method for 15m and 10m circles.

Tips for a Perfect 20-Meter Circle

Eyes Up: Always look slightly ahead to your next circle point. Keeping in mind, your shoulders are to stay in line with your horse’s shoulders and your horse’s head should stay in the middle of his chest, rather than too much to the inside/outside.
Steady Contact: Keep a steady connection through the reins using both reins together to help turn from point to point. Just like a bike, rather than pulling on just one side of the handle bars, you use both.
Use Arena Letters/Markers: 20m x 60m and 20m x 40m arenas have similar letters, but not all the circle points are the same! Know the size of your arena and mark the circle points to get the best results. Knowing the dimensions of the dressage arena will help you find your circle points at the show where the circle points will not be obvious.
Bend and Balance: Ensure your horse is bending correctly around your inside leg and not drifting outward or falling in. Most horses and ponies have little bend on a 20m circle, much less than you may expect. First, master riding the circle shape with steady contact in both reins, then work towards riding from inside leg to outside rein to develop a soft curve in the horse’s body.
Rhythm and Relaxation: A balanced rhythm helps you ride from point to point and creates a harmonious picture.

20 x 40 arena.

20 x 60 arena.

Why Mastering 20-Meter Circle Matters

The 20-meter circle isn’t just a test requirement — it’s a foundational tool for improving communication between horse and rider. Successfully riding a quality circle demonstrates your ability to maintain connection, rhythm, and control while showing that your horse is supple and attentive.

Incorporating these exercises into your training routine will build the skills necessary to ride accurate, balanced circles. This technique will form the basis on how to ride all size circles. As you can control the whole horse on the circle, you’ll see noticeable improvements in your horse’s flexibility, engagement, and overall performance. Whether you’re preparing for dressage competitions or simply aiming to enhance your everyday riding, mastering the 20-meter circle is an essential tool for your riding.