Rider Fitness

As a general rule, it is safe to say that most equestrians tend to invest all their money and training into the horse, yet tend to neglect their own training and suppleness. Sure, you have riding lessons, but unless you are spending some time OFF the horse, working on balancing your body, improving flexibility and getting stronger, you are not working to your full potential. Core stability is essential at all levels of riding. Sitting on a horse and training it, is no time to be working on your own fitness and strength. When riding, you need to be in the best condition you can be, so you can ride in a relaxed, open manner, able to concentrate on giving clear, consistent aides, rather than worrying about staying on, staying balanced and trying to improve your suppleness without getting tired..

What I would like to see in Australia is more of a commitment from riders at all levels , to their own fitness and suppleness. Horses are athletes, but then so are their riders. Riding in itself is fantastic exercise, but it does cause your body to “seize up” especially in the lower back, knee and hip joints. Your body becomes unbalanced and therefore you start ride accordingly, which then shows in the horse and thus causes them to become unbalanced. You can’t expect a nice straight line from your horse if you aren’t even able to sit perfectly straight. You can’t expect a deep connected seat if you can’t relax your hips and lower back, or aren’t aware of your core muscles and breathing.

Why make the effort?

As a rider at any level, investing a little in your own suppleness, strength, endurance, fitness and balance will really show through in your horse. You will be able to give clearer aids, have a more balanced, independent seat and your riding and therefore the horse’s ability will improve consistently and quickly.

You may think that cleaning stables, carrying buckets,hay and the like counts as exercise, and is all you need. Not true. These sorts of activities tend to over strengthen your dominant side, causing an imbalance in your upper body, and tend to stiffen your back and shoulders ,and do nothing to improve joint stability or suppleness in your ankles and knees. If you are overweight, this sort of incidental exercise will not do anything to help you lose weight. For those carrying a few extra kilos, being overweight doesn’t mean you won’t be a good rider, but you will improve your riding fitness by shedding some weight. It may open up opportunities for you to compete at higher levels with more confidence and balance, or try other horse sports, or just simply be able to cope better with every ride and enjoy your horse without being exhausted after a ride or competition.

Services

Vanessa Richardson - founder of Fit Tribe is an experienced rider of 20 years and has extensive personal training experience, having been a qualified Personal Trainer for 6 years. She is available for clinics and coaching. Also available as a speaker to educate on the benefits of improving rider fitness.

Rider fitness coaching sessions can be one on one or group and are specifically designed by Vanessa to improve riding fitness, suppleness and stability. Pricing is dependent upon numbers and location. All equipment is provided and attendees are given a training booklet to take home which includes some exercise programs, exercise descriptions and educational material.