Rider Fitness

Pilates and Riding

Do Your Horse A Favour!

More and more riders, whether they are looking for that winning edge or simply striving to be the best they can be for their horses, are turning to Pilates. This low-impact exercise technique is designed to elongate and strengthen the muscles, improve suppleness and restore the body's balance.

Jane says " A fundamental responsibility of each and every rider is to be disciplined in terms of his/her body. This is not restricted to the giving of aids but is a constant requirement to remain in balance when in the saddle - thereby allowing the animal confidence and freedom to move in an unrestricted manner. As well as this the Pilates principles of focus and awareness are crucial to success in the saddle. Even quite experienced riders are ofter surprised by, e.g, how differently their two legs operate (our horses are usually the ones trying to tell us this) Pilates is also a great stress-buster".

Jane's background in classical dressage had always placed an emphasis on the correct use of the rider's body and her search for more knowledge of this subject led her to Pilates. She trained with the Energywise Academy in Edinburgh where, she says, "the emphasis on correct posture and alignment, and in doing what might appear to be unambitious moves correctly and in a controlled way, was so much in tune with my own background both of teaching riders and indeed of training horses! What we do in a session might be quite different to what you will see on the front of many Pilates books - we are only human after all! but it really works, try it and see..."

Jane runs combined Pilates and dressage sessions - time in the gym followed by a lesson on your horse.

To find out more or to book, call Jane on 01598 740114 or e-mail Janepenfold@aol.com