Coping With Covid As An Equestrian

COVID has taken it’s toll on everyone. The pandemic has challenged the world to find a new normal, and although there is light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines being distributed, it looks like the world that we knew a year ago is not coming back anytime soon. For athletes we have had to find new strategies to continue to advance in our training, and the majority of us have suffered from setbacks due to the effects and restrictions of COVID.

The Challenges COVID Has Had On Equestrians

Training with Iguazu at our facility in California

As equestrians, we are lucky as for the most part our sport is considered an outdoor activity where social distancing is a lot easier to achieve than with other sports. However, like all other sports, equestrians have had to deal with cancelled competitions because they are considered to be events that bring people together, and limitations to access outside training like clinics which are a huge contributor to advancing our training. Equestrians are also suffering from the lack of community to bounce ideas off of and receive feedback. I keep my horse at a small training facility where we wear masks when we are not on horseback and are encouraged to not engage with other riders and to keep social distance as soon as we dismount. Equestrians, like all athletes, are also having a harder time keeping fit with gym and fitness facility closures that our so helpful with our riding positions which is essential to our training. These restrictions have led to my personal setbacks in working through the dressage levels, but I have found coping skills to be able to keep progressing during the pandemic (maybe not at the rate that I would like to, but we are all doing the best we can).

How to progress in your training during the pandemic:

Virtual Lessons and Recording Training Sessions

At my training facility, my trainer invested in auto-follow cameras to provide us with the ability to receive instruction from outside trainers and record our rides. Through this technology, cameras such as the brands Pixio and Pixem (created by the company Move ‘N See which markets to the equestrian demographic), can be setup in a ring and track you as you ride at home while wearing a headset/earbuds to hear the instructor. These cameras offer riders and trainers the opportunity to have virtual lessons and receive instruction from trainers that we would normally receive from clinics that have been canceled due to travel restrictions and social distancing. The auto-follow camera technology is also great for providing instructors who are financially dependent upon giving clinics a revenue stream teaching lessons from their own home without having to travel. A win/win for both riders and trainers during COVID, and so effective that this might become the new normal after the pandemic instead of having to trailer your horse to clinics or bring in outside training. This camera technology also provides equestrians with the opportunity to video themselves in the ring which is an excellent tool to critique our own riding and use video to market ourselves.

Joining an Online Equine Community

The new social app Clubhouse

Because our social interaction with other people has become so limited with the need to social distance, it is important during this time to fill the void of community. As an equestrian I get so much out of bouncing ideas off other riders, and talking to other people about their training and issues they have/are experiencing. Because COVID has prevented us from being able to organically see and interact with other riders, I have found that I am able to fill this void from an online community. I recently joined the social app Clubhouse, which is a brand new social media networking platform. Clubhouse is an audio drop in social network, that provides a place for authentic conversations from people around the world that share topics of interest. I have joined a group called “Equestrian Connect” that currently has 1.5k members, and will take 30+ minutes a day to join a conversation related to horses that might be going on, or join the Equestrian Connect chatroom and have a conversation with other horse lovers about pretty much anything equine related. Clubhouse has been a great tool to give me a diverse, international community of like minded individuals to run ideas by and hear about other equestrians training/businesses and provide my own feedback. Clubhouse is currently in their beta phase and you need to be invited by a member to join. I currently have some invites, so if you are interested contact me under my Contact Page, and if I still have some invites I would be happy to invite you to be a member!

Staying Fit At Home

One of my ways of coping with the pandemic has been to create an at home gym. I realized that for my mental health and also to stay fit as an equestrian, I needed to create a space in my home to be able to workout. With gyms being closed because of COVID, creating a home gym has kept me active and in shape for riding. I have found equipment that is at home friendly and does not take up too much space. I purchased the Tonal for strength training, the Peloton bike for cardio, and the Peak Pilates Fit Reformer for pilates.

Training with the Tonal

The Tonal provides weight training workouts by using electromagnetism to create resistance and mounts to your wall in a remarkably small footprint for a personalized full body workout through their virtual classes.

Training with the Peloton Bike

The Peloton bike is an effective and fun solution for getting my cardio in. The Peloton virtual classes are great for motivation and really get your heart pumping with interval training.

Training with the Peak Pilates Fit Reformer

The Peak Pilates Fit Reformer is awesome for at home use because it incorporates space-saving vertical stacking. Now I can do Pilates from home which is so important for my core strength and riding posture.

If you do not have room to create your own home gym, and/or don’t want to spend the money buying exercise equipment, there are great options you can find online that require no money or equipment.

Pamela Reif’s Workout Videos

I am personally a huge fan of Pamela Reif who offers great fitness videos on her YouTube channel. One of my favorites is her 10 minute ab workout videos which are great for keeping a strong core for riding.

Using This Time To Fine Tune Your Training

As an equestrian each show season we are trying to move up another level. With the cancelled shows last season and the uncertainty of the next show season, COVID provides an opportunity to deal with the issues we tend to sometimes overlook because we are so focused on getting to the next level. As a dressage rider with a young horse, COVID has given me the time to work on my horse’s self carriage, obedience, and my riding position. These things are essential for me and my horse to be successful at the upper levels, and can sometimes be overlooked as priorities in training when riding in the lower levels because we are so focused on learning the new movements our horse needs to know for the upcoming show season. The pandemic is an opportunity to deal with training issues and work on the basics that are essential for having a horse and rider that will receive higher scores at the lower levels and have the proper foundation at the more advanced levels of the sport.

Turning My Passion into My Career

Making my passion my career has always been my life goal. My dream has been to have my horses in my own backyard where I can fully dedicate myself to training, competing, breeding, and loving them. I have made the decision to make my dream a reality and start the process of looking for an equestrian property in Spain.  There, I can run my business and focus on my career as a full-time dressage competitor with the Spanish horses and trainers.

Having an equestrian property sounds glamorous, but is a huge commitment and takes a lot of work. The upkeep and responsibility of keeping horses at your residence can become overwhelming if you are not properly prepared. Unlike boarding your horse at a facility that feeds, mucks their stalls, handles all the maintenance, and deals with issues that can come up with running the facility, all of this now falls on you. Your horses become completely codependent upon you, and you need to make certain you have the right setup to provide the best possible care for your horses including the amenities on your facility needed for your training. As I begin the process of searching for my equestrian property, I need to keep reminding myself what is involved and what sacrifices I will be making choosing this lifestyle.

One of my challenges in searching for an equestrian property in Spain is understanding and complying with Spanish real estate laws. Because I do not speak Spanish fluently, it is important I find a realtor that is fluent in English and has a good reputation; I don't want to be taken advantage of because of the language barrier. I also need to find the right individuals to guide me through the process and understand the inspection process, contracts, and negotiations. Finding a knowledgeable and referable realtor, preferably one that deals mainly in equestrian properties, will ensure I see all listings that fit my criteria  and help me to become fully informed about each available property.  

The next step after finding the proper real estate professionals to work with in Spain, is to decide what I do and do not need. I don't want to get in over my head and have a facility that becomes a money pit and has more space then I  need. Many equestrian properties are set on large parcels that accommodate many horses. For me, the facility is  for personal use and will not be a boarding facility.  I do not need a huge barn, multiple arenas, and/or large pastures. Five horses is the maximum number that I can manage on my own without having to seek outside help. This means that I need to have accommodations for at least five horses which would include a barn that has minimum five stalls, land for paddocks so the horses can be turned out, a dry area to keep feed, and an appropriate area for waste. For me, having a regulation size dressage arena with all weather footing is critical. I need a regulation arena to train properly for competitions with footing that can handle heat and has excellent drainage so I can exercise and train the horses year round.

A Regulation Sized Dressage Arena

Finding a property that fits my space and facilities criteria is not necessarily the most difficult part.  Finding a property that is in good condition and is low maintenance is what will be challenging. Having a rundown facility that needs a lot of work can become a financial and time-consuming nightmare. Dealing with old plumbing, drainage issues, old footing, and broken fences is not something I am willing to take on, as remodeling a facility would be enormously costly and require permits, finding and hiring competent workmen, and managing the project.  All this would take time and money away from training. This is why it is crucial I get every inspection possible to make certain everything is up to code and any repairs that need to be done are disclosed ahead of time.

An Updated Five Stall Barn

I am so excited to find the perfect facility to start my full-time equestrian career in Spain, but knowing this is a huge decision, I need to be patient, do my homework, view all available options in order to set myself up for success. I look forward to sharing my journey of property searching as I embark upon this exciting new chapter.

Finding The Right Trainer

There are three components to having a successful equestrian career, your ability to ride, the athletic capability of your horse, and the right trainer that can help you achieve your goals. The best riders in the world would not be where they are without the right trainer. It is critical to find the right person (persons) that understand your goals, and have the skills to help you achieve them. Finding the right trainer can be a process, and should not be taken lightly. If you start working with a trainer that is not right for you they can do you and your horse more harm then good. There are certain components that you need to take into consideration when finding the right trainer, their experience, their communication skills, their commitment to your success, and the facility in which they teach.

Experience
I have had training sessions with an abundant of instructors since I started riding at age five. When I started riding, I needed instructors that had experience in teaching kids/beginners the basic principles of riding including safety. At age twelve I started competing. I needed a trainer that could teach me how to train for three day eventing competitions, explain to me the rules, and understand my weaknesses while focusing on exercises and drills to improve my riding. When I switched over to competing in strictly dressage, I needed a dressage trainer who was an expert in the sport. Your trainer needs to have the experience to get you where you want to go as a rider, and is accomplished themselves.  It is also important they have a track record of success with other students. You also want your trainer to have experience in training with the breed of horse you ride, so they know how to work with your horse, as every breed requires different training methods. It is important to interview trainers before committing to a coach to understand their background and make sure it matches what you want for your future. Also remember that you don't have to have a monogamous relationship with your trainer. It is important to go to clinics or seek other instructors during your training to receive other perspectives and critiques on your riding.

Communication Skills
Just because someone is a good rider does not necessary mean they are a good coach. I have taken lessons with an Olympic medalist and left disappointed with the way she instructed me. She did not have the communication skills to properly explain to me what I was doing wrong. Sometimes trainers can get frustrated because they know how to ride, but can not articulate to someone else how to do something that comes naturally to them. A trainer needs to be patience with their students as it can take years to develop the skills you need to achieve your goals. Do not base your decision on hiring your coach upon their personal success. You need to make certain you understand the way they extend instructions and that they are providing you with the right information and tools to further train you.

Commitment to your Success
You want to find a trainer that is committed to you and wants you to succeed. Instructors are training riders to make money, but it works best if they have/develop an emotional investment in you and your riding.  Your relationship with your trainer should not be simply a source of income for them. Your trainer should view your success as a reflection upon them. I was very fortunate to find an amazing coach during my eventing career who truly cared about me, and took great pride in my achievements.  When times get challenging and you are not progressing at the rate you would like to, you need to have a trainer who works at keeping you motivated to work through your struggles and does not give up on you.

Trainer's Facility
The facility in which a trainer teaches should also play a significant factor in your decision-making. If you are a dressage rider, and your trainer does not have access to a regulation dressage arena, you will not be able to receive maximum benefits from your lessons. The trainer's facility needs to offer you the right accommodations for your riding discipline. Also make certain the facility is equipped  for the weather conditions of which it is located. If you live in an area that is susceptible to bad weather, an indoor arena is an necessity to ensure uninterrupted training.  Think ahead about what a facility needs to have in order for you to get the most out of your training and make sure that your potential coach can accommodate those needs.

As I venture to Spain to start my dressage career and search for a trainer,  I am taking all of these factors into consideration. I am researching trainers in the area and reaching out to other dressage competitors for referrals.  I have compiled a list of potential trainers that might be a good fit and setting up interviews to meet with them at their facility. It is a very important decision for me especially as I am new to the area.  I also need a trainer that can introduce me to the dressage community and help me find the right horses. I look forward to finding my coach and building a relationship with them to help make me the best dressage rider I can be.

The Equestrian Workout

Equestrians often times have a very organized plan for exercising and conditioning their horse, but forget they need to do the same for their own body. Like with any sport, it is important to engage in physical workouts to achieve maximum success in training with your horse.  Riding is a workout on its own, but equestrians should build strength in important muscle groups to help improve their skills and position. I discovered years ago that the only way for a 1,000+ pound animal to listen to my commands is to strengthen my body off of the horse. I have put together "The Equestrian Workout", which has brought me great success with my riding.

Posture is extremely important for equestrians. Talent in riding comes from symmetry, balance, stability and coordination in static posture, meaning there is little movement in many of the joints in the body. The muscle action is small range sustained contractions. Riding uses all of the body's main muscle groups, but specifically requires very strong and fit postural muscles. It takes a different fitness to stand or sit in one position for many hours than to move around continuously, because the body fatigues much faster in static postures than in dynamic postures.

Correct Riding Posture

Midsection

A vital part of the body that is so important for correct riding, is the abdominal muscles. Strong abdominals are needed to stabilize the spine and midsection when riding. If the rider is weak in the abdominals he/she will have poor core strength resulting in "bouncing" in the saddle. By using the abdominals the rider ensures his/her balance and center of control, and by shifting the hips to either side cues the horse to move in a certain direction. 

Upper Body

The flexibility of the back muscles is crucial in riding in order to create a deeper seat and suppleness of the pelvis, especially in the sitting trot. If the rider is stiff in the lower back, he/she will brace against the horse and cause him to react. Riders also need to be strong to extend the lower back in the canter and sit as if “glued” to the saddle. Alignment and correct posture are of importance in healthy shoulder mechanics. Sensitive, independent hands are the goal of all classical dressage riders. This is achieved through adequate strength that is evenly balanced as a result of a well-stabilized shoulder girdle and upright posture. Shoulder and back strength allow the upper arms to hang freely.

Lower Body

The thighs, hamstrings, glutes and calves all play an important roll in riding. In the correct thigh position, the thighs are fully rotated inward from the hip joint. To keep your thigh rotated in, you must engage your thigh muscles. Engaging these inner thigh muscles will achieve quietness of the hips and pelvis in the saddle, and help you stay on. The hamstrings are the key muscle to control the lower leg and the seat. The hamstrings are also used for stability, and balance. The glutes play a vital role in controlling not only the hips, but also help coordinate the trunk and leg movement. If the muscles of the glutes are weak, the hip area can become unstable. When riding, the calves rest against the horse's sides and are used for delivering aids by applying pressure to turn the horse or ask him to speed up. 

The Equestrian Workout

I have created "The Equestrian Workout", made up of specific exercises that I found work the muscles needed for riding. I have put together routines using simple props and strength training with my own body weight. There are 3 props that are needed for this workout: A Magic Circle, Gliders, and 5-10 pound free weights. You can do this workout at the gym or purchase the props for at home use. Try to do the workout 3-4 days a week to receive maximum results in your riding.

Part 1: Magic Circle and Glider Routine

Magic Circle Routine

1. Ab Curls: 40

2. Hip Bridges: 40

3. Leg lifts: 15

4. Lying Ring Pass: 15

5. Outer-Thigh Press: 20 each side

Repeat Magic Circle series 2-3 times

Click Here To Purchase the Ultra-Fit Circle® by Balanced Body

Gliding Disc Routine

1. Gliding Mountain Climber: 20

2. Gliding Leg Crossovers: 20

3. Gliding Arm: 20 (10 each arm)

4. Gliding Curtsy Lung: 20 (each leg)

Repeat Glider series 2-3 times

Click Here to Purchase Gliding Discs

Part 2 "Weight Routine"

Weight Routine 5-10 Pounds

1. Bicep Curl with Squat: 12-15 Reps

2. Upright Row with Sumo Squat: 12-15 Reps

3. Tricep Kickback: 12-15 Reps

4. Over-Head Shoulder Press: 12-15 Reps

5. Bent-Over Reverse Fly: 12-15 Reps

Repeat Weight series 2-3 times

Click Here to Purchase

Off to Find My Iberian Horse

As I discussed in my last post, through a series of events I have made the leap from an Eventer to a solo Dressage Competitor. It was a tough decision as I have been competing at the upper levels in Eventing for 10 years. Having made the change to the solo discipline of Dressage, I need an appropriate horse with which to compete. For the reasons below, I have decided on an Iberian Horse.

The Iberian horses ancestry dates back to 30,000 BC. Cave paintings as old as 20,000 BC have been discovered showing a profile of a horse that looks like the Andalusian. The Andalusians were recognized as an individual Spanish breed in the 15th century calling them the Pure Spanish Horse or PRE (Pura Raza Española). They were used as war horses for the Spanish royalty and kings across Europe rode and owned Andalusians. The breed is known for their strong build and compact yet elegant grace. The Andalusians have an energetic gait and are extremely athletic. Even though the breed is known for its strength, they are not tall horses averaging at 15.5 hands (61.5 inches, 156 cm). One of their distinguishing physical characteristics is having very thick and long manes and tails. Andalusian's personalities tend to be submissive while remaining intelligent and sensitive. They are very quick to learn, responsive, and cooperative in training. In Spain the Andalusian has long been used for bull-fighting. Their courage, agility, intelligence, and ability to turn quickly on the haunches make them ideal for dealing with an angry bull.

An Andalusian, Bull Fighting in Spain

The breed has grown popular in the international competition of dressage, especially over the last 15 years. At the 2002 World Equestrian Games two Andalusians were on the bronze-medal winning Spanish dressage team; a team that went on to take the silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. These accomplishments earned the breed respect in the sport. For a long time Andalusians were controversial in the dressage arena. There was prejudice aimed at the breed by dressage judges creating a widespread lack of credibility.  The breed has a special talent for collection, which is needed in dressage and the ability to turn on their haunches which is required in upper level movements. Their natural collection and turning capabilities has worked against the Andalusian's Dressage image instead of enhancing it.  They have been viewed as an easy horse to ride and train, causing judges to have preconceived notions about the horses before they even begin to preform in the arena.

Spanish Olympic Dressage rider Rafael Soto, competing in the National Championship 2004

The Spanish horse is different from that of the Warmblood breeds (who have dominated the dressage sport) as they have the ability to attain more easily the highest collected movements. Even though the Andalusians could preform the high level movements, consistently they were not given as high scores as fellow Warmblood competitors.  Many judges felt that it came naturally for the breed to preform dressage movements and should therefore not be judged equivalently as dressage Warmbloods, who lacking this natural ability, had to be trained diligently to compete at the upper levels.  Today while prejudice towards the breed in dressage competitions still exists, thanks to the Spanish dressage success in the early 2000s it has greatly lessened.  Since the breed has become more popular and accepted as a top level dressage competitor, today breeders aim to develop their horses to have more of a dressage conformation. Breeders try to give their offspring longer gait extensions to increase their ability to extend their strides. The Andalusian's shortcoming in the sport is the suspension, where the Warmblood breeds excel.

Andalusians are shown and bred throughout the world, while the region of Andalusia in Spain is still the motherland of the breed producing the finest horses. Ancient bloodlines of the Andalusians have been preserved by the Spanish government to protect the breed using selective breeding. A very careful selection program and a very strict breeding code upheld by the Spanish Stud Book, has produced a top quality, sporty and safe dressage horse. The government has focused on breeding a strain of Carthusian Andalusian (also known as Cartujano), which is generally considered the purest Andalusian strain and has one of the oldest recorded pedigree lines in the world.

The Pure Cartujano stallion

I have had the opportunity to ride and train with some Andalusians in the United States, and have fallen in love with the breed. Soon, I will be going to Spain to find some of the best Andalusians, train, breed and compete. My goal is to find a horse that has the capability to compete at the Olympic Grand Prix Dressage level.  I am so excited to immerse myself in the Spanish equine community. I look forward to sharing my journeys as I look to find the hunt to find my Andalusians, and start my training and competing.

Transition from Eventing to Dressage

Three Day Eventing (“Eventing”), is the "Equestrian Triathlon". Eventing consists of three days of competition, in three different disciplines, with the same horse, and one aggregated score. The first day is Dressage, where the horse and rider perform a set series of movements in a specialized rectangular arena, with the goal for the rider to communicate to the horse when, how and where it shall preform a series of intricate and subtle movements. The horse and rider must demonstrate impeccable balance, rhythm, and form. The horse and rider must in effect dance together and are judged by how well they do so. The second day is Cross Country, where the horse and rider must have speed, endurance, and jumping ability over varied terrain and solid obstacles in an open country field setting. The third day is Show Jumping (also known as Stadium Jumping), a timed jumping test in an enclosed ring, where a course must be navigated through colored fences made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down at a high speed. 

Eventing is debatably one of the most challenging equestrian sports, as the horse and rider must train in these three completely different riding disciplines, and master each discipline despite their dramatic differences. Eventing can be one of the most dangerous equestrian sports, as the Cross Country event requires the horse to move at very high speeds over solid obstacles. If the horse and/or rider falls, it is on jumps that do not collapse, which has resulted in numerous causalities for both horses and riders.

I started in Eventing at 12 years old. One of my Pony School trainers was an Eventer and quickly immersed me in the sport which I took to immediately. Soon thereafter, I was taken on by a well known French Eventing trainer and my journey into the world of Eventing began. I competed successfully at the upper levels in the U.S, on my Selle Francais, Hipius, who I purchased and imported from France. Five years ago, Hipius was sadly diagnosed with Navicular, a degeneration of the navicular bone in horses hooves, causing me to have to retire him. I stopped Eventing not only because I did not have a horse to compete on, but I also had some serious falls and broken bones, that made me rethink if I still wanted to stay in the sport. I continued to take jumping lessons here and there, but was not committed to looking for my next Eventing horse, and restarting my Eventing career.

Competing with Hipius, in Cross Country 

Most Eventers will tell you that dressage is their least favorite day of competition. Honestly, I used to feel the same. Compared to the adrenaline, speed, and excitement of Cross County, and Stadium Jumping, Dressage can seem like a bore. I used to dread my Dressage lessons as they were the most challenging for me. The intricacies and technical nature of Dressage often left me frustrated.

Dressage is also well known and shown as a sport on its own. It is an extraordinarily complex and multifaceted discipline. The sport requires the horse and rider to perform high level movements that are not required in Eventing Dressage. In actuality, solo Dressage is a completely different discipline than Eventing Dressage.  Solo Dressage requires movements such as multifaceted Lead Changes, Pirouettes where the horse makes a circle with its front end around a smaller circle made by the hind end, Piaffes where it looks like the horse is trotting in place, and Passages where the horse suspends the leg for a longer period of time in the trot. None of these high level movements are required in Eventing Dressage.

An incredible example of a Dressage performance by Danish Olympic Dressage rider, ANDREAS HELGSTRAND, displaying high level Dressage movements.

Two years ago, through happenstance, I took a lesson with a famous Dressage instructor who had me ride a Dressage high level schooling master horse. Up until then I had only competed and trained in Eventing Dressage.  The instructor taught me to do Tempi Flying Changes in which I asked the horse for continuous lead changes at the canter, where it almost looks like the horse is skipping. This one lesson on this one horse had me hooked and was the instantaneous turning point for me from Eventing, to the discipline of solo Dressage. My ultimate goal became to compete in solo Dressage with the aspiration of competing at the Olympic Grand Prix level. 

After that lesson, I had a completely different outlook on Dressage. The sport is an art, and even though it might look to the common eye like it is easy, that is far from the case. The goal is for the rider and the horse to look like they are one being in complete harmony.  It must appear to the judges that the rider is not asking the horse to preform the very difficult movements that are required at the upper levels. The rider’s cues have to be phenomenally precise, and the horse must have the athletic ability and intelligence to move in ways that do not come naturally. I guess it is the absolute precision necessary to preform these high-level movements that got me addicted to the sport. In Cross County and Stadium Jumping I could make mistakes, and they would be overlooked as long as I completed the course in the necessary time. However, in solo Dressage, even the smallest mistake will not be tolerated by the judges. I have made the decision to focus on becoming a solo Dressage competitor. I have so much to learn, but am excited to go on my journey of trying to master the art of the “dancing horse”.