Fit for the Season
If you are like me during the holiday season, you are tempted by too many sweets and plagued by too little time to be active. For me, the show season has ended the show horses are enjoying a little bit of a break, and it’s been just enough time since the last show that I am starting to dream about what I want to accomplish in the ring next year. It’s starting to hit me that I am getting bored with being “lazy.” The New Year is in sight so now is the time to start thinking about goals for next year and how to achieve them.
I have personally experienced the impact that fitness has on my riding. Being fit as an equestrian gives you more stamina during the course, which helps you think clearer, and gives you more body control, which allows you to be a partner not a burden to your horse. If you are looking for a way to step up your game for the next competition year take this rest period for your horse to work on yourself!
I will be posting some targeted workouts that I have found to help me with my core stability and overall strength and balance on the horse. For now, if you are looking for somewhere to start, try this 15min full body workout to start getting yourself into the practice of working out.
Warm up:
30sec jumping jacks
15sec downward dog walk hands to 15sec plank (repeat 3x)
30sec side to side lunges
Workout:
30sec bicycle crunches
30sec leg flutters
30sec squats
30sec step back alternating lunges
30sec plank shoulder taps
10pushups (modify with knees on ground if needed)
(repeat all 3x)
Cooldown:
20sec forward fold with arms crossed and hanging
10sec puppy pose with L arm crossed under chest
10sec puppy pose with R arm crossed under chest
20sec pigeon pose
20sec butterfly
20sec child’s pose