RIDER FITNESS
Most, if not all, of us “people of a certain age,” have bodies that may not work exactly as they used to. A life time of injuries, poor posture, mis-use, over-use, non-use etc., accrue in our tissues turning our once somewhat athletic bodies into ones fraught with aches, pains and stiffness that affect not only our riding, but life in general. Luckily there are simple strategies that you can employ to help reverse time and restore your body to what it used to be, at least partially.
Meet Shelley Serota, an active ACTHA competitor that, like many others, has had her share of ups and downs when it comes to riding and her body’s willingness to play along. For years she worked behind a desk. She has had both riding and non-riding injures. Shelley came to me to help regain her confidence in the saddle so that she could ride her horse Jack not only out on the trail
safely, but also compete in ACTHA events to the best of her ability.
She knew that Jack was a well trained 3rd level Parelli horse capable of doing everything she asked. She also knew that her body wasn’t able to communicate with Jack as she wanted. “I had no idea. I was an old-school hunt seat rider. I just pointed my horse towards a jump and hung on, hoping to get to the other side,” explained Shelley.
A combination of sitting for long periods of time at her job and a modicum of fear had her clutching the saddle to hold on instead of staying on with good balance and relaxation. She sat with her legs drawn up, her back rounded over and not flowing with Jack’s motion. She was essentially hanging on. She didn’t understand how powerful a proper position could be. Not powerful in terms of muscle, but in terms of influence. My first job was to remind her body that it did indeed know how to move and be in a good position relative to gravity. Secondly, it was to get as many of her joints - from those around her pelvis to those in her back, arms and legs into neutral so that could move. Third was to accomplish this task without it seeming like too much work! I was up for the challenge and so was she. Check out part 2 of this article in next month’s ACTHA Monthly to find out how we took Shelley from a fearful rider into one who won her first ACTHA competition!
Learn more about Jennifer Kotylo Equestrian Fitness >>
Jennifer developed a passion for body awareness and biomechanics while pursuing her lifelong quest of international level dressage riding. Certified instuctor in Core Dynamics, Jen & Padre Pilates Equilates teacher and Balimo practitioner.
Jennifer working with
Shelley Serota
PART 1
By Jennifer Malott Kotylo
ACTHA Monthly | July 2015 | 44