By Nicole A. Musmanno
While in Wyoming over the weekend, I let my shamefully white legs be seen by fellow equestrians and spectators. Worried that the reflection off my legs might actually cause retinal trauma (they are always covered by breeches), I fully expected to see people shielding their eyes in self-defense. Instead, I had more people comment on my legs and their muscle tone which was usually followed by the additional question, “Are you a runner?”
Yes, I am a runner. Thanks to mom and dad I also have the type of genes that make muscling very easy for me, almost to a fault. I have not lifted weights in over a month and my upper body looks as though I live in a gym. I do not. I live in the barn and on the running trials. I have to. One, because the barn is my job and holds my passions (my horses). Two, because fitness is a MUST to be a competitive equestrian athlete.
Years ago as an early teen that did not matter to me. I was competing at the novice level of eventing and it seemed riding was enough exercise. However, when my goals for competition changed I quickly learned I needed a fitness program of my own. I took up running because it was recommended to me by a former member of the USA Equestrian Team. She told me it had been advised to her that upper body strength was not what she needed in order to ride and keep up with her strong horses. Pulling will not stop a freight train but strong legs will help you keep up with it.
Considering the balance a rider must posses in any discipline, it is not enough to just ride one horse and call an exercise program complete. My feeling and rule, if the horse is expected to workout for an hour a day, so is its rider…separate from the horse. I run the riding trail I take the horse out on and it takes me 45 minutes (I add additional loops to make the run last 1+ hours). When my horse tells me the trail is long and tiring, I can sympathize and I can kick-on.
Having a regular exercise program will not only produce rewarding physical results, it will increase strength and balance in the saddle, leading to better scores at the shows. Not to mention the time spent exercising is also a good time to reflect on your horse, training program, goals, etc. The point is, riding is not enough at any level and running can be done anywhere. The roads and trails are always there, you just need shoes and a sports bra if you are female.
