Improving Mobility, Control, Load in Horses

Improving Mobility, Control, Load in Horses

In my last two blog posts HERE and HERE, I’ve been talking about mobility, control, and load with riders. These are important elements to have in equestrian fitness programs to get your body ready to perform at its best. These same principles apply to horses. We need...

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The Role of Hip Flexors when Riding

The Role of Hip Flexors when Riding

I feel like hip flexors are often demonized as a rider’s worst enemy. There are so many articles/blogs/social media posts that blame tight hip flexors as the reason riders have hip restrictions which lead to stiffness and tension on a horse. I’d like to dive into this...

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Embrace the Messiness

Embrace the Messiness

I took a riding lesson this week that challenged me to figure things out and get comfortable being uncomfortable. There was an angled line that went vertical – 5 strides – oxer – 5 strides – vertical. I haven't ridden an angled line like this for several years. I've...

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5 Ways to Step Into Your Potential with Your Horse

5 Ways to Step Into Your Potential with Your Horse

A couple of weeks ago I was at a goal setting meeting with my riding coach, Stephanie Goodman. It was a group meeting for the barn to talk about 2020 plans and longer term vision. During that meeting, people were voicing their 2020 goals and plans with their horse. At...

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Always & Never Exercises for Riders, Part 2

Always & Never Exercises for Riders, Part 2

In part 1, I talked about specificity of training and working parts of the whole. I listed some "always" and "never" exercises for riders. Now onto Part 2! Take a listen to this video to dive deeper and learn why exercises made the list! The Core Challenge for...

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Always and Never Exercises for Riders, Part I

Always and Never Exercises for Riders, Part I

There’s a principle in sports performance called specificity of practice. Basically, research shows that to be good at something you have to practice THAT thing. For riders that means . . . To be a good dressage rider, you have to ride dressage. To show jump well, you...

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California Dreamin’ at Twin River Horse Trials

California Dreamin’ at Twin River Horse Trials

I’ve spent the last few weeks in California (grateful!!). I went with some friends and we created a “training camp” at Galway Downs in Temecula, CA for a week. Then we headed north to Paso Robles, CA to Twin River Horse Trials. I had some mixed results on this trip...

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