Introduction

Congratulations and Welcome! Are you ready to dissect your Dressage Rider Position and break those old bad habits?

This is a 6-week program. Each week you will get new material to work through and study.

Only a rider in the correct position, can make the correct aids. So yes, you are doing this for yourself and your body, but more importantly you are doing this so that you can communicate with effective aids to your horse. When you improve your position, you will be a more effective rider.

For example, I had an issue with my left shoulder and my trainers would talk to me about it. It wasn't until I started working on it off my horse, with exercises and with a physical therapist that it got better. This program will give you instruction on what you should do in the saddle and what exercises you should do out of the saddle. These are specific exercises to mimic what you should do in the saddle when riding.

When you ride, yes, you should check in on your rider position, but you also have to pay attention to your horse. It is very difficult to only focus on your body. So when you are not in the saddle, you should think about your straightness, your flexibility, your coordination , and your body awareness. This program will help you do that. To get started there is a Full Body Workout -- ten specific exercises for riders. Ease into this with the goal of doing these three times a week. Really listen to your body. Do a little less and ease into a routine. It will serve you significantly better, than getting hurt. We are so glad to have you here.

Before the course gets started, you have 2 assignments:

1) Click here to fill out you rider assessment

(Your responses will be e-mailed to you for your convenience, there is also a PDF version below)

2) Introduce yourself in the comments section below. Let us know where in the world you live and how long you've been riding.

As you go through the course content, please feel free to ask any questions you have in the comments section below each video!

If you have a private concern, feel free to email me directly at: [email protected]



Disclaimer: Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

WARNING: THE METHODS DEPICTED IN THESE VIDEOS SHOULD ONLY BE USED UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF PROFESSIONAL EQUINE TRAINERS. PRODUCERS SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OF ANY NATURE OR KIND. USE THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK. 

If you are old school, here's the PDF for you to print and fill out the worksheet:

rider position pre-course worksheet.pdf
Complete and Continue  
Discussion

358 comments