Counter Canter What’s the Point

at a show. I can cruise around on the counter lead if necessary without interrupting the traffic flow and inconveniencing other riders.
How to do it  
Know your leads. Are you getting the correct lead anytime anywhere? Does your horse strike off on the lead you ask for on whatever line you point him not just on the rail?
Establish independent control of the hips and shoulders before tackling the countercanter. Turns on the forehand and haunches shoulderin and haunchesin are the phonics for building the language of countercanter.
Position your aids clearly. For the left lead Ill position my left leg clearly at the girth and my right leg behind the girth. Im careful to make a distinction of at least six inches between these two cue locations and accordingly between the horses body parts I want to move. Ill ask for slight flexion of the horses nose toward the lead left lead slight left flexion.
Keep your horse straight. Establish the outside lead on a straight line for a few strides before attempting your first counterturn. Were inclined to pull on the inside rein to steer the horse around a circle. Doing so at the countercanter allows the horses body to bulge off the track of the circle to the outside. The result? The horse trots to change leads. On the left counter lead keep your horses body straight with a direct outside left rein and squeeze on the rein so your horse flexes his head eversoslightly toward the lead. Direct your horses shoulders around the circle with your outside left leg at the girth. If necessary an inside right opening rein helps to guide.
Think geometrically. Instead of a circle I picture cantering the horse around an octagon shape comprised of little mini turns. As the horse responds to each little turn cue I relax my aids briefly to give him a yes. Initially your horse is likely to be flustered about being asked to lope around on the wrong lead. Its beautiful how a welltimed release after every little turn reassures the horse that he got the right answer. Its my way of communicating Yes I really do want you on the wrong lead you havent made a mistake. For example traveling around the arena begin a left lead countercanter a couple of metres from the track. This will help if your horse is inclined to assume I typically pick up
the right lead when the fence is on my left. Go straight for several strides then open your right rein while keeping your left rein straight and press with your left leg to angle the next stride slightly to the right. Release after that little turn and canter straight for another three or four strides before asking for another turn.
Start small. Dont wait for a mistake. After just two or three successful little countercanter turns walk and let your horse process. When you feel any tension or inclination to switch to the true lead confirm the lead proactively before he breaks stride. Youll sense confusion when your horse starts to get tense and hoppy thinking about changing leads. Press in with your leg behind the girth. Pulse your rein keeping his attention on task and asking for flexion toward the lead. Wait until he settles and walk. Remember the best way to avoid unwanted responses is never to let them be expressed in the first place.