I have loved horses since I was very young and can remember the first ride I ever had (on my neighbour’s Shetland pony when I was 4!). From that moment, I knew this was my passion. I didn’t grow up in a horsey family but my mum could see my enthusiasm and took me down to the local riding school for regular lessons. I absolutely loved my riding lessons however I remember wondering if I was getting the most out of them.
I decided to start going to the gym when I was 16 and worked with a personal trainer who helped me to strengthen and train my body so that I could develop more secure seat and a stable lower leg. For me this was an absolute game-changer and it was the moment I started to see massive improvements in my riding.
Fast forward a few years and alongside completing my BHS stage 2 qualifications, I have qualified as a personal trainer, and am now in the position to help other equestrians train in a way that benefits their riding.
I currently work on a small dressage competition yard, where I am being mentored to train horses using the principles of classical dressage. Combined with over 10 years ridden experience from youngsters to ex grand-prix schoolmasters and everything in between, I understand the physical demands of equestrian sport from both a rider and trainer perspective. Not only does riding require fitness, but so does mucking out, general yard work, and handling horses. To function at our best we have to train our bodies to withstand the demands of this sport and also to enhance our performance. In doing this, we make our horses’ jobs easier, allowing horse and rider to work together as a genuine partnership.
I am a massive advocate for the benefits of strength training and believe it is essential for everyone and in particular for equestrians. If you are ready to take your riding to the next level, then this is the right place for you.
our ethos:
Our aim at EquiStrength is to help riders to build strength and mobility that directly translates to feeling more secure, connected and supple in the saddle enabling you to ride with confidence.
The benefits of strength training are well established, but often people find regular training challenging because of a lack of time, motivation, feeling intimidated by traditional gyms or just because it can be lonely to train by yourself. EquiStrength is about making training accessible for everybody, in a way that works for you, with your own equestrian goals in mind, and in an environment that feels comfortable. This could be in one of our group classes (either at your yard or in one of our existing classes) or 1-2-1 (either at your yard or in your own home).
Our approach is all about building sustainable training habits; training should be an enjoyable experience that works to enhance your riding and also benefits you in other aspects of life. We very much believe in focussing on the journey rather than the destination, with consistency being the key to results. We encourage everyone to keep showing up even when it gets hard as this is where progress happens. Not every workout or ride will be perfect but if we strive each time to be a little stronger and to give a little extra to our training then this is where the results will happen.
We welcome riders of all abilities. Whether you are just getting back into riding or have been riding continuously for many years there is never a “wrong” time to start training outside the saddle.