ANSWER:
The figure eight is an excellent gymnastic pattern for all three gaits, if
it is ridden precisely. In the canter it requires an especially high degree
of strength, balance, impulsion, and collection. I am actually practicing
small figures of eight (10m circles) myself with one horse right now. The
quality of the canter improves a great deal, if you pay close attention to
the roundness and regularity of the pattern as well as the gait. Waldemar
Seunig (Von der Koppel bis zur Kapriole, 1949, 326, translation: TR) even
recommends this exercise explicitly: "Being able to ride a fluent and
impulsive figure eight without a lead change on the short side of the arena
is a proof of perfect gymnasticization in the canter. This exercise is
prepared by the counter canter on the circle."
In the canter, there are 4 variations on the basic theme:
- first 10m circle true lead, second 10m circle counter canter.
- first 10m circle counter canter, second 10m circle true lead.
- both 10m circles in true lead, with flying change.
- both 10m circles in counter canter, with flying change.
One interesting terminological observation I have made is that in Germany
the term "figure eight" always refers to 10m circles, whereas in the US I
have heard it applied mostly to 20m circles. In Germany, this large figure
eight is called "Aus dem Zirkel wechseln" = change out of the circle. In the
US, on the other hand, not one of my students was familiar with the term
"change out of the circle", until I explained it to them. That was initially
very bewildering, since it is one of the most basic patterns, one of the
very first ones the beginner learns in Germany.
- Thomas Ritter
Question & Answer Forum
Last Update: January 13, 2007