Spring into action with rider fitness

Guess what? It's almost spring - and with spring comes the start of a new show season.

Have you slacked off this winter? Are your breeches and boots getting a bit tight? Or are you just looking to be more fit and more competitive this show season? In any case, it's time to start an exercise program for both you and your horse.

The keys to getting back into shape are simple and apply to rider and horse alike:

• Don’t push yourself too hard. This can lead to injury, which can put you even further behind on getting into shape for show season.

• Create a plan you can stick to and which challenges your mind and body. If you or your horse get bored with a program, you won’t be able to stick to it.

• Incorporate a variety of exercises so that you work all of your muscle groups and continually challenge your muscles.

• Most importantly, have fun!

Every rider will work a bit differently. Some prefer group efforts or going to the gym. Others prefer to work at home on their own. Find what works for you.

Local tack stores such as Jax Farm and Ranch and Happy Horse have a library of books on rider fitness and getting your horse into shape. Remember that you not only need to do work on yourself and your horse, but also with both of you working together.

Those old exercises your instructor made you do, the ones you thought were torture, actually are great for getting both rider and steed into shape:

Try working without stirrups, especially at the trot. Slowly extend the amount of time you trot and post without stirrups to increase your strength and balance while your horse gets a cardio workout.

Spending time in your two-point position will not only strengthen your legs but also allow your horse to pick up its back, strengthen its abdominal and back muscles, work on extended gaits and do some stretching.

Ask your riding instructor or a friend to give you lunge-line lessons so that you can work on your balance and strength without interfering with the horse.

Another great way to get into riding shape is to incorporate some yoga or pilates into your fitness plan. Julie Leiken of Boulder has a great program designed to use pilates instruction to improve riding and communication between horse and rider. She offers clinics, group and private lessons both in dressage and pilates.

Good luck meeting your fitness goals!