I'm broken, like most eventers. Duct tape, bute, and get on with it, right? We, as riders and competitors, treat our horses significantly better than we treat ourselves. A few years back I was gearing up for a fun season with a nice string of younger horses when I got kicked in the side of the knee. Yoga was a large part of my rehab for it and I came back stronger and faster than my orthopedist thought was possible. I also became acutely aware that my collective injuries were causing some minor (or not so) imbalances in the saddle. For example, I struggled with canter half pass right because I was perpetually sitting a bit heavier on the left side. I was out of balance - mentally and physically.
One of the things I love about Yoga is that you can ramp it up and kick the #!(#%! out of yourself, or you can slow it down and it feel like active stretching. Anything you do has a direct impact on your time in the saddle: get fitter, get softer, get kinder, get stronger. This is why I started Om Riding. We combine Yoga geared specifically for equestrians with traditionally formatted clinics (ie. dressage, show jumping, cross-country, gymnastics, etc). As a result, we are able to address the mental and physical side of riding before we even get into the tack as well as get insight into some of the rider imbalances prior to beginning the gymnastics.
Here are three basic Yoga poses you can try at home that will help increase your flexibility and strength, in and out of the saddle.
Here is a quick 10-minute flow video for people to do before they hop on their horses. It's short, sweet, and to the point. It focuses on loosening the hips, back, and shoulders. It's light impact and you do not need a yoga mat for this flow!
Currently, I am unable to travel for clinics due to COVID-19 so we have moved to an online platform. It's been a fun shift and a great way to stay connected with riders nationally. As we hope to begin to travel again, we will continue the online classes as a way to help riders get more time on the mat. Anyone is welcome to join! Classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. More information is available here.
United States Eventing Association (USEA) members from all over the country gathered on Friday afternoon for the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention Year End Awards Ceremony. The afternoon’s ceremony was led by Master of Ceremonies Jim Wolf and recognized riders, horses, and game-changers in the sport of eventing with multiple awards and grants.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation has announced the host location of the 2025-27 USEF/USEA Developing Horse National Championship. They will take place at the Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials in Leesburg, Virginia, from Oct, 9-12, 2025. The USEF/USEA Developing Horse National Championship will continue to feature two divisions—the first for 6-year-old horses competing at the CCI2*-S level, and the second for 7-year-old horses competing at the CCI3*-S level.
As riders, we spend a lot of time focusing on the strengthening and fitness programs of our horses, but as Amy Gibbs, MPT, pointed out on Thursday afternoon at the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, setting aside time to focus on our own balance and strength is imperative, not only in helping us meet our goals as riders but also in ensuring we are riding in a safe and secure manner.
Say hello to Seattle, USEA members! The 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention gets underway tomorrow and features four full days of educational seminars, committee meetings, and social gatherings all surrounding the sport of eventing! This year’s Convention takes place in Seattle, Washington, at The Westin Seattle from Dec. 12-15. Check out all of the items on this year's agenda that you won't want to miss!