Week 1: Posture
Challenge starts now! This week we’ll focus on posture. To learn about posture and pelvic position check the links below:
Week 2: Breathing & Mobility
Good riding position is the key to good riding and clear communication with your horse. This week we’ll focus on breathing and mobility. Focus on your breathing when riding and also in your daily life. Also, work on your mobility. Choose one mobility workout to do each day (or at least couple of times a week). Continue working with your mobility until the end of this challenge, and beyond!
Learn about breathing:
Mobility workouts:
Week 3: Core!
When horse riding we want to achieve a stable and independent seat. This week is all about equestrian core training. This weeks task: To strengthen and activate your core muscles, do the exercise I show in the video 3 x week, 3 x 10-20 reps with a little rest in between. You can always do more if you want but always focus on good technique. I also recommend doing some additional workouts (links below). Continue with the workouts at least until the end of this challenge! Also focus on the use of your core when you’re riding.
Videos about core muscles and core activation:
Equestrian core exercises and workouts:
Week 4: Balance
This week is all about balance!
Your exercises for this week:
On the horse: Standing on your stirrups and riding without stirrups (remember safety!)
Off the horse: Standing on one leg. Also exercises linked down below.
Basics of good riding position (it’s all about balance!):
Equestrian balance exercises on the horse:
Equestrian balance exercises off the horse:
Balancing the horse:
Week 5: Leg position
When horse riding you want to be able to give clear leg aids. This week we’ll focus on leg position!
Your exercises for this week:
On the horse: The second exercise on this video: https://youtu.be/V-ybPOR347w
Off the horse: Squat
More videos about leg position:
Correct leg position: https://youtu.be/1_6Jm-ZS8fE
How to use your leg: https://youtu.be/6TDXpwM5jfY
How to stop gripping: https://youtu.be/5U0brhNHxWE
Long legs part 1: https://youtu.be/eypl4eVCBUE
Long legs part 2: https://youtu.be/7C_lpcflsCE
How to keep your legs still in rising trot: https://youtu.be/3UR1YwoJLQc
How to move your leg back correctly: https://youtu.be/ob5Wit0qW6g
Common mistakes with leg position: https://youtube.com/shorts/jgZpW-ZERu0
How to position your stirrups: https://youtube.com/shorts/c3jocRsUr5U
Cant ride with stirrups?: https://youtu.be/q-TUfGvQooQ
Week 6: Hands and contact
To find harmony with our horse we need to build a connection. This week we’ll focus on hand position and contact. This is the final week of this challenge, I hope you have enjoyed it!
More videos about hands and contact:
Hand position and contact: https://youtu.be/nhUFfqu2svE
Common mistakes with hand position: https://youtu.be/lkemiYR8YoA
How to hold the reins + typical mistakes: https://youtu.be/TjTROA7J1aE
Hands and contact in canter: https://youtu.be/u7cayltNSgI
Mental images to improve your contact: https://youtu.be/dv6f5g-IaKo
How to use your hands (tip): https://youtube.com/shorts/MEwzgNRpsPc
Improve your contact: https://youtu.be/7LhAU3X-v6M
Are your elbows sticking out?: https://youtu.be/kxuPbNEvV6s
Hack for softer hands: https://youtube.com/shorts/gNjkjchfet0
Rein length: https://youtu.be/3_z70LACF40