Does your riding instructor give you the same correction every session?
Would you like to improve your riding?
Are you working towards a specific riding goal?
I’ve been teaching Pilates for over twenty years and I’ve seen and felt the changes it can make when practised regularly.
I know how hard it can be fitting Pilates into a busy equestrian schedule. It can feel like a mammoth undertaking. However Pilates is an accumulative skill so little and often is the best approach.
Three smaller sessions a week fitting around your commitments will make a big impact and the Equestrian industry is increasingly recognising the benefits of Pilates for rider fitness and equine wellness.
Our asymmetries and compensatory patterns can affect the horse’s performance and may over time lead to veterinary/equine osteopathy intervention.
Using Pilates to increase your capabilities can improve your posture and alignment in the saddle, your aids can become subtler through improved balance and your confidence can blossom.
How can Pilates help you improve your riding?
The simplest way to think of a riders influence on a horse is to consider the impact of carrying the rider. How does the distribution of their bodyweight affect the horse?
Have you ever carried a backpack with uneven straps or uneven weight in it?
Unbalanced distribution of the riders bodyweight in the saddle can make it harder to execute your correctly and lead to confusion in the horse. The horse cannot determine what is an aid being applied or simply incorrect balance and shifting of bodyweight. This can lead to frustration for both you and your horse.
We might think our horse is being disobedient when the horse is actually doing exactly we have unconsciously asked it to do. The more supple, strong and balanced you are, the easier it is to be able to communicate your desired movement simply and effectively. Building a deeper bond both in and out of the saddle.
Way to work with me:
There are multiple opportunities to work with me:
1-1 in my studio
1-1 Online
Group sessions online
In person in your yard ( Email me for more details and to discuss your needs.)
Free Riding Exercise tutorials
Register for free today to try the short tutorials and see how Pilates can help your riding.
Press
In this series of three articles Julie looks at the building blocks builds to provide the reader with a Pilates matwork routine aimed at improving your position, becoming more balanced in the saddle and ultimately moving in harmony with your horse.
An elite level dressage rider may give the illusion of sitting quietly and motionless but there are subtle position changes…
I love learning, no matter whether it’s Pilates, Equestrian skills or how to operate a new Blender. I also…
In the first part of the series Julie shares her top exercises for helping to improve your position in the saddle and recognising your own alignment.
Julie Driver was featured in Intelligent Horsemanship Spring 2018. Download the pdf here | Become a member at Intelligent Horsemanship
Being able to balance is a fundamental part of staying in the saddle, part two Julie gives you exercises to improve your balance and move in harmony with your horse.
Riding is full body workout for you as well as your horse, in part three Julie explains how to use Pilates to improve your strength and stamina.
Julie is proud to work with the Windrush Foundation and their talented team of Three Day Eventers.