"Hi Jo, I thought you'd be a good person to ask for some help with my dressage. I hope you can help with a question on Prelim 19. It says: "13. V Circle left 20 metres diameter and allow the horse to stretch" But how much of the circle does this apply to? Is it a quick stretch? Half the circle? The whole circle? What are they really looking for in this movement? Everyone I ask seems to give a different answer. Thanks and I look forward to hearing your opinion on this. Thanks, Lin."

H&C blogger and dressage rider Jo Barry replies: "Hi Lin, The stretch takes place through the whole of the circle. Don't just throw the rein away, try and make it a progressive lengthening. The judge is looking for the horse to stretch down and forwards, stretching over its topline and taking the bit forwards - similar to where you may ask it to go when doing stretching for your working in. The judge hopes to see little or no change in balance, rhythm, regularity or tempo of the pace. The horse should look relaxed with a good swing through the back and use of hindleg.
Hope this helps,
Jo."