Equestrian Coaching & Biomechanics
Riders can access two kinds of equestrian coaching: classical riding instruction, and biomechanics (body usage, posture and fitness). I also offer specialised fitness training for riders- see the fitness page.
Classic Riding Instruction: I offer free-lance coaching of equestrian basics (any discipline), and dressage training (up to Level 2/3). I also offer coaching for achieving Equine Canada English rider levels. I am a certified Equine Canada/National Coaching Program Coach. I do not have a stable of my own with horses, but might be able to help you find a horse to lease for the lessons if you do not have use of a horse. Because of the other work I do in fitness, athlete conditioning and rehabilitation, I can work with many different non-standard situations such as a medical condition or disability. In classic riding instruction, you learning how to work with your horse and train it to achieve competitive or pleasure riding goals. More information about riding instruction is available at my main equestrian site www.equifitt.com Equine Canada Position and Movement Pattern Coaching: using the Equicizer.
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Focus on Biomechanics: I am also a certified Centered Riding Instructor. Combined with my fitness and conditioning experience, I work with riders of all disciplines, and all levels from amateur youth to elite professional to help you use your body more effectively in the saddle for what you need to do.
Biomechanics coaching is more than just posture analysis. It addresses postural issues, but also functional aspects of how your body activates muscle areas and co-ordinates for riding. I have worked with Olympic athletes, jumpers, dressage riders, reiners, polo players, competitive trail, leisure, and ultra-distance endurance riders to name a few. Focus on biomechanics can concentrate on mounted work (incorporated within a riding lesson or clinic), or also include corrective and conditioning dry-land fitness (exercises to help you with the strength and suppleness you need for riding better). This training often involves identifying imbalances, training better proprioception (body awareness) and finding solutions to help your body move the way it needs to, so that your horse can move the way he needs to. Focus on biomechanics can also work online with posture and movement analysis and virtual fitness coaching through Skype. By analysing your riding videos, I can work with you to suggest adjustments and exercises in the saddle, as well as unmounted exercises to address your focus areas. I also offer personal training geared specifically to riding needs, and am available to do rider fitness and biomechanics clinics, talks and workshops for conferences, stables and pony clubs. For eight years I have been a leader in rider fitness & biomechanics in North America. With over 200 articles and five rider fitness ebooks, I am about to publish the first anatomy and conditioning book for riders of it's kind. Since I started writing on rider fitness, the field has become more and more popular with many people picking up on some of my ideas, and some adding their own. We all have the potential to do more with what we have. Link to more information on fitness for riders. Link to fitness training books specifically for riders. |
