Cavaletti Bootcamp with Lisa Hellmer, Lesson 1: The Circle
This is a preview of Cavaletti Bootcamp: 10 lessons for a fitter, more focused horse with Lisa Hellmer. For access to the full program with Lisa and hundreds of other audio lessons, start your free trial at Ride-iQ.com [https://ride-iq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=cavaletti_bootcamp]. [Use code LISA for 20% off for the lifetime of your membership]
Cavaletti on a Circle | Balance, Suppleness & Tempo
9 min walk | 9 min trot | 6 min canter
In this lesson, Lisa Hellmer works to develop balance, suppleness, and a consistent tempo using four cavaletti set on a circle. The exercise progresses from walk to trot to canter while maintaining rhythm and balance through the turns and over the poles. By riding over selected poles, all four poles, and adding circles to the inside or outside after each cavaletti, the exercise encourages better bend, coordination, and adjustability while helping the horse stay relaxed and organized in each gait.
Pre-Ride Video
Watch the demo video [https://youtu.be/XRPyEV2d9eg]before you ride through the lesson.
Exercise Setup
Set four cavaletti evenly spaced on a circle.
Diagram
Setup [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/638e6d4deb6ae602fabe39c8/69b4631b64b05dcc17eacd81_The%20Circle%20with%20Lisa%20Hellmer_Setup.png]
Exercise 1 [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/638e6d4deb6ae602fabe39c8/69b4631c81b93584ef44a860_The%20Circle%20with%20Lisa%20Hellmer_EXERCISE%201.png]
Exercise 2 [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/638e6d4deb6ae602fabe39c8/69b4631c097597710041ecf1_The%20Circle%20with%20Lisa%20Hellmer_EXERCISE%202.png]
Exercise 3 [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/638e6d4deb6ae602fabe39c8/69e7c25e1a3e6025f15b43cc_Two%20and%20Two%20with%20Lisa%20Hellmer_Exercise%203.png]Exercise 4 [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/638e6d4deb6ae602fabe39c8/69b4631c91bbd992618f8918_The%20Circle%20with%20Lisa%20Hellmer_EXERCISE%204.png]
Horse & Rider Suitability
Ideal for riders and horses comfortable working over cavaletti at the walk, trot, and canter.
Arena Size / Specifications
20m x 60m arena
Lesson Breakdown
1:00: Walking around while Lisa explains the lesson
4:30: Walking, ride over the poles on bending lines, both directions
7:30: Trotting, stretchy trot; pick two poles to ride over, both directions
10:00: Cantering, around the poles, one direction
10:30: Trotting, ride over all four poles in working trot
12:00: Cantering, around the poles, same direction
12:30: Trotting, change directions and pick up the canter
13:15: Trotting, ride over all four poles in working trot
14:00: Cantering, around the poles, other direction
14:30: Walking, take a short break
16:30: Trotting, after each pole ride a circle to the inside or outside; alternate circles if desired, one direction
18:00: Cantering, ride over all four poles, same direction
19:00: Trotting, repeat the circle exercise after each pole, other direction
20:00: Cantering, ride over all four poles, same direction
23:00: Trotting, allow the horse to stretch forward and downward on a circle
24:00: Walk and pat your horse!