I went to the
Equestrian Fitness and Balance Workshop-This horseless workshop teaches an actual non-mounted riding lesson using special balancing boards.
People realized things like how imbalanced they were in the saddle, and how they were putting much more weight in one stirrup than the other. Some were balanced enough to try completing jump courses on their balance boards, jumping in the air when a "jump" comes up. Seeing if they can land with the equal amount of weight on both sides of the board and pivoting in order to "turn" the horse.
Stable Board
Rocker- and wobble-style balance board includes 5 easy change fulcrums from 4 to 12 degrees.
A versatile low cost option for balance training of all levels. Five interchangeable fulcrums give 3 degrees of difficulty as a single plane rocker: (6, 9 and 12 degrees), and 2 multi directional fulcrums at 10 degrees (one square and one round). Velcro fasteners attach each piece. This board is suitable for all levels from seniors to athletes and works best in a clinic or home setting.
The price listed on his website is $89.95
I also attended the
Equestrian Sports Psychology Workshop
This humorous seminar, taught by Coach Stewart to his U.S. team members and thousands of riders a
round the world focuses on positive thinking, goal setting, imagery, and stress management. The clinic
teaches riders to improve their focus, self-confidence, enjoyment, and physical performance by eliminating doubt, stress, fear, and performance anxiety from their riding and showing experiences.
In this workshop he introduced several ways of learning that I had never thought of. He spoke of how one could sing a song to relive stress and anxiety. An example would be a young boy riding in the arena, dogs get into the arena, boy starts to get nervous about his horse spooking, then he breaks into song "Who Let The Dogs Out."
He also talked about goal setting, and how on should make small achievable goals that one can accomplish in a week.
But he also spoke of using imagery to teach his students.
When teaching a young student that tends to slump in the saddle he would tell them to " imagine a rope connected to the top of your helmet pulling you up" then to make a student have a light seat he would tell them to imagine " a porcupine on you saddle, poking you every time you put too much weight in the saddle".
One young girl he spoke of had a problem with leaning forward to far, he told her to create a imagery to help her by the next lesson. By the next lesson she was doing much better, he asked her what imagery she was using to help her, she told him" spikes, I imagine spikes sticking out of my pony's neck that with kill me if I don't sit up straight" she had told him excitedly.
About Daniel Stewart
Daniel Stewart has been a highly successful international competitor and trainer for over 20 years. Between 1999 and 2007 Daniel Stewart coached numerous riders on several U.S. Equestrian Teams to success at many world championships and Olympics. He currently divides his time between Andalusia Spain and Santa Barbara California and is the author of the internationally acclaimed book on equestrian performance Ride Right. Prior to becoming a U.S. coach he earned a degree in Exercise Science and Psychology from the University of Calgary and worked as a consultant to many other national riding teams including Portugal and Canada. In 2008 Stewart left the U.S. equestrian team to share his knowledge and experience with the U.S. riding community and is now widely considered one of the worlds leading authorities on equestrian biomechanics, conditioning and sport psychology. Stewart now teaches clinics and seminars to thousands of riders each year and has recently launched a certification program to train highly qualified riders to reach his many unique workshops, seminars and mounted clinics.
He has also written the book Ride Right
“All of Stewart’s techniques are presented in an easy–to–understand, lighthearted manner.” -- Horses All
“The many fun exercises are clearly shown in color, and much of the information is presented concisely in humorous sidebars.” -- Horses All
Product Description
A personal training guide that helps equestrians of any age, ability, or riding style become physically and mentally fit to ride.
From the Publisher
Most riders concentrate endless hours on their horses: warming them up; improving their strength and stamina with gymnastic exercises; cultivating specialized diets to keep them in peak condition; and ensuring that through proper turn–out, time off, and companionship, they remain psychologically content. What is often forgotten is that the horse is half of an athletic partnership. The rider’s own physical and mental fitness affects the end performance of the team, and warming up, conditioning, diet, and psychological stability apply to them as well. This highly illustrated book helps equestrians improve their own bodies and minds on the ground, so they can better perform on a horse. Daniel Stewart received a degree in exercise physiology from the University of Calgary and spent seven years at the renowned Sports Training Institute in New York City working with the institute’s equestrian clients. He is a coach for the United States Endurance Team and Paralympic Dressage Squad.
His website is http://www.stewartclinics.com/
I highly recommend attending any of his workshops.
