20m Circle

Purpose of the 20 metre circle in dressage

The 20 metre circle develops balance, rhythm, suppleness, bend, and straightness while teaching the horse to remain connected and evenly balanced through turns. It also provides an ideal exercise for assessing the quality of every gait.

Technical Definition

A 20 metre circle is a circular line with a diameter of 20 metres ridden with the horses body following the same curve from poll to tail.

The circle must begin and end exactly at the designated markers without changing size, shape, or rhythm.

Plain English Explanation

You’re riding a genuinely round circle. Geometry matters. Not an egg or an oval or a square with round corners.

Rider Aids

A correct 20 metre circle is ridden primarily from the rider’s legs and seat, with the reins guiding rather than pulling.

Inside leg

  • Positioned at the girth.
  • Creates impulsion, maintains the bend and prevents the horse from falling inward.

Outside leg

  • Slightly behind the girth.
  • Prevents the quarters from swinging out and helps maintain the size of the circle.

Inside rein

  • Asks for slight flexion at the poll.

Outside rein

  • Controls the outside shoulder, regulates the size of the circle and maintains connection and balance.

Seat and weight

  • Sit evenly with your hips following the horse’s movement.
  • Allow your inside hip to move slightly forward with the bend.
  • Look ahead around the circle rather than down at the horse.

What the Judge Is Looking For

Judges assess much more than whether the horse simply travels in a circle.

They want to see:

  • Correct geometry of a true 20 metre circle touching at required markers.
  • Consistent rhythm and tempo.
  • Correct bend through the horse’s body.
  • Willing acceptance of the contact.
  • Balance without falling in or drifting out.
  • Smooth, accurate line.
  • The horse remaining relaxed and attentive.

The higher the level, the more emphasis is placed on self-carriage, engagement, and the quality of the gait throughout the movement.

Common Mistakes

Some of the most frequently seen faults include:

  • Inaccurate geometry
  • Looking down instead of planning the line.
  • Pulling the horse around with the inside rein.
  • Losing rhythm or tempo.
  • Horse falling in or out through the shoulders.
  • Excessive neck bend without body bend.
  • Hindquarters swinging in or out.
  • Inconsistent contact.
  • Rider leaning to the inside.

Appears In

The 20 metre circle appears throughout almost every dressage level worldwide.

Training Scale

  • Rhythm – Riding an accurate 20 metre circle helps establish a regular tempo and consistent rhythm by encouraging the horse to maintain even, balanced strides throughout the turn.
  • Suppleness – The continuous curve encourages the horse to stretch and bend correctly through its body, improving flexibility while reducing tension and stiffness.
  • Connection – Maintaining an even contact throughout the circle teaches the horse to work consistently from the riders legs into a steady, elastic contact.
  • Impulsion – Once the horse is balanced on the circle, the rider can encourage greater engagement and energy from the hindquarters without sacrificing rhythm or relaxation.
  • Straightness – Although the horse is bent, each hoof should follow its own correct line on the curve. The circle develops alignment of the shoulders, ribcage and hindquarters while preventing the horse from falling in or out.
  • Collection – As the horse becomes stronger, the 20 metre circle can be used to increase carrying power, self-carriage and engagement while maintaining balance and the quality of the gait.

Prerequisites

Before riding accurate 20 metre circles, the horse should have:

  • A clear, regular rhythm.
  • Basic steering.
  • Understanding of inside and outside aids.
  • Ability to maintain a consistent tempo.
  • Willing acceptance of the contact.
  • Basic bend through corners and turns.

For inexperienced horses, the emphasis should be on accuracy and rhythm rather than excessive bend.

Leads To

Mastering the 20 metre circle provides the foundation for many more advanced movements, including:

  • 15 & 10 metre circles
  • Voltes
  • Serpentines
  • Half circles
  • Lateral movements
  • Simple changes
  • Flying changes on curved lines
  • Canter pirouettes

Without a correct 20 metre circle, many of these movements become significantly more difficult.

Exercises to Improve

Spiral Circle

Transition Circles – Between the gaits and within the gaits

Pole Circle

Troubleshooting

My horse falls in.

Support with a stronger inside leg while maintaining a steady outside rein. Avoid leaning to the inside or pulling on the inside rein.

My horse drifts out.

Use the outside leg to keep the hindquarters aligned and maintain a supportive outside rein to control the shoulders.

The circle becomes oval.

Focus on riding accurately to each quarter point rather than thinking about the whole circle. Looking ahead will also improve accuracy.

My horse loses rhythm.

Ride forward with quiet, consistent aids. Resist the temptation to slow the horse through the reins simply to stay on the line.

My horse bends only through the neck.

Encourage the bend from your inside leg into the outside rein. Think about bending the entire body rather than positioning the head.

I struggle to ride an accurate size.

Visualise the circle before you begin and use the arena markers as reference points. Riding over ground poles or cones can also help improve accuracy until the correct line becomes instinctive.