Equestrian Fitness
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‘Fatigue diminishes performance’
Well-conditioned equestrians who possess a strong cardio system; perform better, recover quicker, sustain fewer injuries and experience less fatigue. Its simple; if your body can handle the physical stress of riding, you will have better control over your horse.
I have spent thousands of dollars (on riding lessons) and every spare moment in the saddle, all in the desperation to fix my riding weaknesses. But I have now realised that unless I ride 5-6 horses a day, it is very difficult to improve specific riding fitness on the horse.
About 2 years ago, I managed to attain a good strength and cardio base and was the type of person that could beat most people in a 5 km run or a press up competition, but yet when I rode my horse I would still be fatigued after a small round of show jumping. This was because even though I had the upper body strength and cardio fitness, I lacked; core stability, flexibility, balance and had major muscle imbalances. These weaknesses were placing tension through my body and because a horse mirrors its rider; my horse became unbalanced, tense, and one-sided, in turn making my riding very strenuous. Most people have a stronger side and a more flexible side. To sit correctly on your horse without tension, you need to have good posture and your body needs to be evenly strong and flexible on both sides. It is near impossible to fix muscle imbalances on your horse, so you need to change what you do off your horse, to improve. Strength and cardio fitness will also affect your riding ability, some riders may not have bad posture and one-sided issues but may just need to be overall stronger and fitter.
I am currently the Fitness Trainer for the NZ High Performance Endurance Squad.
I have also trained a Group of Canterbury Equestrians who had recently participated on my Equestrian Group Fitness programme. Within a month of being on the programme; the riders commented that the training has made a huge difference to their riding, and because they feel strong and fit they have more confidence. Other riders have commented that their riding coaches have noticed significant changes in their riding and have noticed big improvements in their horse’s way of going. At the end of the 6 month Programme; all the riders had dramatically improved their cardio fitness and strength, infact some riders experienced over a 200% strength improvement.
Equestrian Fitness Presentation (Next dates TBA)
'Admitting your weaknesses does not diminish your strengths’
The unmounted Equestrian Fitness Presentation is designed to help participants to become aware of common; posture, balance, strength, and flexibility issues specifically for horse riding. During the presentation you will discover both your physical strengths and weaknesses and will be given information (to take home) specific to you. The Presentation runs for 2 hours and is based on fun and interactive assessments. It is highly recommended that you complete this presentation prior to Registering for the Equestrian Group Fitness Programme.
The cost for this presentation is $30pp.
There are limited spaces on the next Presentation, to confirm your place register and then pay $30 into Westpac Account number is: 03 0767-0013587-000 (use your last name as reference).
Equestrian Group Fitness Programme (Next dates TBA)
'Train hard and ride easy'
During the unmounted Group fitness programme you will not only improve your health but you will specifically increase the components of fitness required for riding. At the first session I will take you through a fitness assessment and then a training programme that you will be required to conduct from home. Your home programme will only take 20-40 minutes to complete, 3 times a week. We meet up every month on a Sunday night to; train together, check progress, and to adjust programmes. As each month goes by we will progress onto a new, challenging, and more specific programme. After 6 months (upon finishing the programme); the end goal is that you are stronger, healthier and have reached your peak riding fitness.
For the cost of $180, you will recieve the folllowing:
Well-conditioned equestrians who possess a strong cardio system; perform better, recover quicker, sustain fewer injuries and experience less fatigue. Its simple; if your body can handle the physical stress of riding, you will have better control over your horse.
I have spent thousands of dollars (on riding lessons) and every spare moment in the saddle, all in the desperation to fix my riding weaknesses. But I have now realised that unless I ride 5-6 horses a day, it is very difficult to improve specific riding fitness on the horse.
About 2 years ago, I managed to attain a good strength and cardio base and was the type of person that could beat most people in a 5 km run or a press up competition, but yet when I rode my horse I would still be fatigued after a small round of show jumping. This was because even though I had the upper body strength and cardio fitness, I lacked; core stability, flexibility, balance and had major muscle imbalances. These weaknesses were placing tension through my body and because a horse mirrors its rider; my horse became unbalanced, tense, and one-sided, in turn making my riding very strenuous. Most people have a stronger side and a more flexible side. To sit correctly on your horse without tension, you need to have good posture and your body needs to be evenly strong and flexible on both sides. It is near impossible to fix muscle imbalances on your horse, so you need to change what you do off your horse, to improve. Strength and cardio fitness will also affect your riding ability, some riders may not have bad posture and one-sided issues but may just need to be overall stronger and fitter.
I am currently the Fitness Trainer for the NZ High Performance Endurance Squad.
I have also trained a Group of Canterbury Equestrians who had recently participated on my Equestrian Group Fitness programme. Within a month of being on the programme; the riders commented that the training has made a huge difference to their riding, and because they feel strong and fit they have more confidence. Other riders have commented that their riding coaches have noticed significant changes in their riding and have noticed big improvements in their horse’s way of going. At the end of the 6 month Programme; all the riders had dramatically improved their cardio fitness and strength, infact some riders experienced over a 200% strength improvement.
Equestrian Fitness Presentation (Next dates TBA)
'Admitting your weaknesses does not diminish your strengths’
The unmounted Equestrian Fitness Presentation is designed to help participants to become aware of common; posture, balance, strength, and flexibility issues specifically for horse riding. During the presentation you will discover both your physical strengths and weaknesses and will be given information (to take home) specific to you. The Presentation runs for 2 hours and is based on fun and interactive assessments. It is highly recommended that you complete this presentation prior to Registering for the Equestrian Group Fitness Programme.
The cost for this presentation is $30pp.
There are limited spaces on the next Presentation, to confirm your place register and then pay $30 into Westpac Account number is: 03 0767-0013587-000 (use your last name as reference).
Equestrian Group Fitness Programme (Next dates TBA)
'Train hard and ride easy'
During the unmounted Group fitness programme you will not only improve your health but you will specifically increase the components of fitness required for riding. At the first session I will take you through a fitness assessment and then a training programme that you will be required to conduct from home. Your home programme will only take 20-40 minutes to complete, 3 times a week. We meet up every month on a Sunday night to; train together, check progress, and to adjust programmes. As each month goes by we will progress onto a new, challenging, and more specific programme. After 6 months (upon finishing the programme); the end goal is that you are stronger, healthier and have reached your peak riding fitness.
For the cost of $180, you will recieve the folllowing:
- 6 x Training Programmes, starting from Beginner through to Advanced level.
- 6 x Group Fitness sessions.
- Pre and Post Fitness testing.
- Regular support from an experienced and qualified Physical Trainer.
