Ride Fit this winter; emerge a winner in Spring

As the nights are drawing in and the rugs are being dusted off from last year, there is a definite autumnal feel to the air. Apart from autumn's crisp mornings, and beautiful golden brown scenery, one other thing is inevitable:

Winter

Even the word makes us feel cold. Immediately, we imagine long days in the office coming home to dark nights with soggy, muddy horses. The frustration of not being able to ride due to flooded or frozen arenas, when all our hard training over the summer goes to waste. 

Or does it?

 

 We can't change the inevitability that is winter. However, what we can change is the connotations that it brings. It's all semantics really if we just look at two words:

Winter
 

Winner

 There is one letter that differentiates the two words. The letter 't'.

 T is for 'training'.

Another inevitability...Unless you are lucky enough to have an indoor school, there will be days when you can't ride during the winter. It sucks, I agree. Whilst you can't control the weather, there is something you can control. Your riding ability. Your fitness.

Use these cold dark days to work on you.  Work on your strength, your balance, your co-ordination - all of the things that differentiate elite riders from the rest. It isn't just your horse that needs to be fit for the job; you do too.

From the comfort of your own home, or through group exercise classes, you can still improve as a rider through the winter, without getting cold and wet. Whilst your competitors are lacking motivation and finding it easier to stay at home, use the winter to train, train, train and emerge as a winner in spring.

Are you lucky enough to be able to motivate yourself easily during the winter? If so, share your tips below!

 

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