The figure eight is made up of two circles of equal size, joined by a short, straight juncture. The middle of this juncture is known as the “center point” of the figure. You should initially establish the center point by approaching it at the sitting trot, then posting as your shoulder crosses it to begin the figure at the trot, or by picking up the correct lead as your shoulder crosses the center point if you are going to perform the figure eight at the canter.

The most important aspect of performing the figure eight is having a plan. Select markers throughout the ring, such as a patch of dirt or the wing of a fence, to help you establish the center point and the quarter marks of each circle. Consider where you would like to go and what might be in your way, so that you’ll end up with a plan that will allow you to have two even circles approximately 50 to 60 feet in diameter.

Once you have completed the first three-quarters of the your circle, start collecting the animal and aiming for the centerpoint you previously established, so that your horse is in a collected frame and absolutely straight from head to tail as it crosses the center point. Then, gradually bend your horse the second direction and press it forward so that it lengthens its stride to a medium step once more.

Your eyes are extremely important during this test. Look to the centerpoint when you are halfway around each circle, so that you have plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments to reach your predetermined marker. (Being deadly accurate to the center point is particularly important during competition if the judge is standing on the centerline.)

The figure eight is a wonderful suppling exercise for the horse, as well as a means or developing the rider’s leg coordination. When traveling clockwise, the horse should be bent on the circle with a right indirect rein, a right leg in at-the-girth position, and a left leg in behind-the-girth position during both the trot and canter. The aids are reversed when traveling counterclockwise: left indirect rein, left leg at-the-girth, and right leg behind the girth. The inside rein and leg bend the horse, while the outside rein and leg prevent the horse from drifting outward with its shoulder or hip. Be careful not to clash your aids by keeping too much pressure on the outside rein, for this is a common error–the rider pulling on the inside rein to ask for a bend, yet not releasing enough on the outside rein for the horse to be able to bend.

Either the walk or sitting trot is acceptable during the simple change of lead in a figure eight at the canter, but the walking steps indicate a more advanced level of training. (Of course, during the figure eight at the trot, you simply change diagonals at the center point while continuing to trot.)

If you have difficulty finding the right take-off spots on course, you should find a vast improvement in your ability to see distances if you’ll do the following:

In your mind, divide the arena down the middle lengthwise. Pretend that at the middle of one short side of the arena, you have a letter “A” posted. Then, in your mind post a letter “B” at the middle of the other short side of the arena. When you complete your initial circle as you prepare to jump the course, your circle will end at letter “A.” At this point, you should have established a 12-foot length of stride at a hand-gallop, with your body in two-point position to free the horse’s back and allow it to easily cover the ground. As you pass your imaginary letter “a,” look to the first line of fences and DON’T TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE LINE OF JUMPS. This is essential, for anything you’ve gained by looking early for your distance will be lost if you look away. Now, extend your horse’s stride from letter “a” to the first fence, for although you’ve established a 12-foot stride on your circle, the corner preceding the first fence will cause your horse to shorten its stride and slow down a little. Keep extending the stride through the corner and beyond, so that the horse’s stride is incrementally getting longer as you approach the fence. This will guarantee enough impulsion to get you out of trouble, no matter what take-off spot you see, and will help the horse get down the first line in the number of strides prescribed by the design of the course.

B

A

If you’ll keep your eyes on each upcoming line from letters “A” and “B” and will press the horse forward through the corners on the approach to the first fence in each line, you’ll most likely find that your ability to see distances will immediately improve. Remember that safety is in the horse’s impulsion, which enables it to clear an obstacle; so, be bolder to each line and see if this works better for you.