2025 Whip Circle Rules v1.0

Document: 2025 Whip Circle Rules Compendium v1.0
Author: Ashley K
Date: 2025-08-17

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Overview of Whip Circle
  3. Standard Whip Circle Rules
  4. Basic Whip Circle (V0)
  5. Advanced Whip Circle Variation 1 (V1)
  6. Advanced Whip Circle Variation 2 (V2)

1. Introduction

The whip circle is a great way to train a pony’s obedience and attentiveness. The pony must listen and accurately follow a series of whip commands from the trainer. Whip circle performed by a group of skilled ponies can be a beautiful and graceful dance.

Whip circle is also a good starting skill for brand new ponies. On the whip circle, new ponies can learn basic movement skills, listening to the trainer, and whip commands.

2. Overview of Whip Circle

The whip circle is a circular field surrounded by a fence. There is a dirt path along the inside of the fence along with four short paths leading to a smaller inner circle. The outer fence is marked with four letters, A B C and D, aligned with each of the paths to the inner circle.

The trainer will give a series of whip commands, consisting of short bursts of 1 to 5 whip cracks. The pony or ponies will then move according to the whip commands, as detailed in the rules below.

The whip circle can be performed with any number of ponies, from one up to however many will fit on the field.

Trainers and ponies should first learn Basic Whip Circle, then add the Advanced Whip Circle variations after mastering the basics. This document includes the rules for both Basic and Advanced whip circle.

Ponies will typically start by standing next to one of the letters along the outer edge of the field. Unless directed otherwise by the trainer, a solo pony will start at A. Additional ponies will each stand at a different letter. For groups of more than four ponies, the ponies should try to space themselves equally out around the circle.

Advanced whip circle is divided into three variations: V0, V1, and V2. Basic whip circle is V0, and only basic whip circle is required for the initial Thoroughbred signoff. The V1 and V2 variations build on that, adding more rules and complexity. The advanced whip circle Thoroughbred signoff covers all three variations with a minimum of three ponies working together.

3. Standard Whip Circle Rules

These are the standard rules, which apply to all variations of Basic and Advanced whip circle.

  1. All ponies should begin facing clockwise on the outer circle.
  2. Ponies must stay on the dirt paths. Ponies should not touch the grass.
  3. If the ponies are standing still when they are given a signal to turn, the ponies should pivot in place without moving.
  4. If the ponies are moving when given a signal to turn, they should continue to walk while making a quick, smooth turn. Ponies should not stop walking to make a turn.
  5. Ponies should try to maintain a constant distance from each other. Ponies should attempt to subtly adjust speed as necessary to maintain distance.
  6. Ponies should completely ignore any commands that are impossible in the current situation. For example, two whip cracks (meaning stop) when the pony is not moving.
  7. After completing the whip circle routine, the ponies should bow or curtsy to the trainer.

4. Basic Whip Circle Rules (V0)

  1. One whip crack means go.
  2. Two cracks means stop.
  3. Three means turn left. The pony should make a 180 degree turn to their left (the pony’s left) and face the opposite direction.
  4. Four means turn right. The pony should turn to their right and face the opposite direction.
  5. Five means stop and return to the trainer. This typically signals the end of a whip circle session.

5. Advanced Whip Circle Variation 1 Rules (V1)

  1. If the pony is stopped, one whip crack means start walking. If the pony is already walking, one whip crack means run.
  2. If the pony is running, two cracks means slow down to a walk. If the pony is walking, two cracks means stop.
  3. The “Do Not Show Your Butt to the Trainer” rule: The pony may not turn toward the fence. In other words, the pony must not turn their back toward the trainer. Ignore any signals that would violate this rule. For example, if the pony is walking clockwise on the circle, right turn is allowed (turning toward the trainer) but a left turn is not (it would require turning toward the fence). See standard rule #6.
  4. Aside from the above additional rules, the whip signals are the same as V0. Three cracks means left turn, four is right turn, and five means stop and return to the trainer.

6. Advanced Whip Circle Variation 2 Rules (V2)

  1. Aside from the following rules changes, observe all rules from V1, including the “Do Not Show Your Butt to the Trainer” rule.
  2. When stopped, the whip signals are identical to V1 and V0.
  3. If the pony is moving and is ordered to turn (3 or 4 whip cracks), the pony should take the next available path to the inner circle, walk 180 degrees clockwise around the inner circle, walk to the outer circle, and turn again in the same direction onto the outer circle. Note that the pony will be walking the same direction before and after (eg, starting clockwise, execute a right turn, and continue clockwise). See the diagrams below.
    Left turn:
    Turn left toward the inner circle and left again to the outer circle.

    Right turn:
    Turn right toward the inner circle, and right again to the outer circle.
  4. If the pony is moving and is given 5 whip cracks, the pony should take the next available path to the inner circle, walk 360 degrees clockwise around the inner circle, then return to the outer circle using the same path back to the outside. The pony will then walk the opposite direction around the outer circle. See the diagram below.
    Turn around: