Apr 01, 2020

VIDEO: Rider Fitness Exercises with Laura Crump Anderson

By Jessica Duffy - USEA Staff

In this video, Laura Crump Anderson leads us through five exercises designed to strengthen a rider's position. Anderson begins by demonstrating a wall sit, then moves on to body weight squats. If body weight squats are not challenging enough, she suggests adding a weighted object, like a bucket filled with horse feed, to increase the difficulty of the exercise. Next, Anderson moves on to demonstrating dips, which can be done with the help of a chair. Anderson rounds out the exercise program with push-ups and the plank.

Equipment List

  • Wall or other flat vertical surface
  • Chair
  • Yoga Mat (optional)
  • Weighted Object (ex: bucket filled with horse feed) (optional)

About Laura Crump Anderson

Laura Crump Anderson holds a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science from Longwood University. She focuses on rider fitness and establishing exercise regimens that work for the competitive equestrian. She completed a 400-hour internship under the tutelage of physical therapist Jill McKay. Laura is the founder of Hidden Heights Fitness LLC and is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and 200 Hour yoga teacher through the Yoga Alliance. She developed a passion for sustainable programs that have the benefits of strength training without losing time in the saddle.

Jun 06, 2023 Profile

“And again, and again, and again”: Knowing When to Come Again and When to Switch Up an Exercise

The great football coach Vince Lombardi said, “We win our games in practice.” With the goal of having the most effective practices possible for horses, their riders, and their coaches, Cathy Wieschhoff explains some signs that can indicate when horse and rider should repeat an exercise, switch it up, or be done with that activity. Wieschhoff brings perspective as a five-star rider that has competed at the Kentucky Three-Day Event and Burghley Horse Trials, a USEF “R” Course Designer for eventing cross-country and show jumping, a former Area VIII chair and member of the USEA Board of Governors, and a Level V USEA ECP Certified Coach based out of Carriage Station Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

Jun 05, 2023 Eventing News

USEF Announces Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for FEI Eventing Nations Cup Poland CCIO4*-NC-S

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Poland CCIO4*-NC-S at the Strzegom Horse Trials (Poland) from June 21-25, 2023. The team will be under the direction of USEF Eventing Emerging and Development Coach Leslie Law.

Jun 05, 2023 Young Event Horse

Become a YEH Judge: USEA Launches YEH New Judge Education Program

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to announce the launch of the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) New Judge Education Program. Qualifying candidates, who are no longer required to hold a USEF judge’s license, will be encouraged to sign up to participate in the YEH New Judge Education Program to receive certification to judge the Jumping and Galloping phases of Young Event Horse competitions.

Jun 05, 2023 Safety

USEA Podcast #336: Helmet Safety

USEA podcast host Nicole Brown is joined by Dr. Barry Miller of the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab and Catherine Winter of Ride EquiSafe for an important, informative, and engaging discussion about helmet safety. For more than a decade, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has investigated helmets in football, cycling, equestrian sports, and more, collecting more than 2 million data points related to injury and biomechanics research.

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