High-Performance Equestrian

Dr Fiona Hargraves PhD, exercise, nutrition, and behavioural scientist addresses what to do - and what not to do - when you want to improve fitness as a rider, but realise you struggle to prioritise yourself with a busy equestrian lifestyle & the rest of your responsibilities.  Dr Fi discusses: - why you might not have 'failed' if you've tried to get fit before, because you migh...

Have you been trying and trying to stretch those tight hip flexors or other areas and feel like it's just not getting any better? There's a good chance it really isn't working because the muscles are habitually in a shortened position and not only are they tight, but they are weak. Yes, that's right - tight AND weak. Tight doesn't = strong. This episode goes through why this is a problem for rider...

Proprioception could be considered a sixth sense and is our ability to detect where are body parts are in space.  This episode discusses how skilled riders have symmetry of movement, pressure, force, and position, detected and controlled by proprioception - along with coordination and balance -  and also what riders can do to improve this off the horse! To put this theory into action, visit FitSci...

Fiona discusses the influence of rider alignment and balance on the horse and on the ability to deliver effective aids. She also reviews the ideal riding seat and identifies common issues that may be the result of a non-optimal rider position, as well as how the saddle fit for the rider is a key factor to consider. To put this theory into action, visit FitScience EQ and come train with us to enhan...

What is Mobility? And what about Flexibility? Mobility is one of the key ingredients to moving with the horse. Fiona discusses how significantly it affects riding, the important body parts you really need to be able to move through an efficient and correct range of motion, how mobility may be affected by other activities, and also strategies to improve mobility.  To put this theory into action, vi...

Fiona discusses muscular strength and endurance and why equestrian athletes need to consider this in their training, as they do for their horse! She also outlines principles of training such as specificity, progressive overload and recovery and how they shape an athlete into a performer over time with careful programming. Learn about why strength is the key to having energy and is the real fountai...

Should riders focus on cardiovascular fitness? What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic fitness and what should I be doing? Fiona guides riders though considering how training for more energy can increase rider performance by considering the demands of the sport and aligning what is expected of the rider with what is expected from the horse in the six-legged athlete team. To put this t...

What is periodisation? How does is apply in equestrian sports and how can it help athletes peak at just the right time for competitions? Periodisation means your training has strategy to achieve progression and purpose, it also prevents burnout and injury. It applies to horses and riders both separately and together, is essential for serious competitors yet also applicable to recreational athletes...

Have you ever wondered how top riders are so good? Is it talent, is it skill? Have you got what it takes? How can you get what it takes to be a top rider? Podcast episode 5 examines skill acquisition and the elements that can help any riders progress… as well as what inhibits acquiring skill to top levels.  I discuss characteristics of skilled performers and how they are developed through their ch...

What do riders need to do in training to make sure they perform at peak when it counts? Fiona provides a sports science analysis of the various aspects of skill and biomechanics riders can consider to improve performance as equestrian athletes. To put this theory into action, visit FitScience EQ and come train with us to enhance your riding!

Isn’t riding enough to keep me fit? This episode explores the concepts of riding fitness versus rider fitness, match or game fitness, the various definitions of fitness in the context of what equestrians do every day and in terms of striving for enhancing performance. What do you think? Do you think riding alone is enough to really keep you fit as an equestrian athlete? As fit as it keeps your hor...

Considering the concept of the the six-legged athlete; Is your horse the real athlete on the team? What about the rider?  We put so much focus, time and money shaping our horses into fine athletes, are there things we can do differently to match their performance as their rider? Fiona considers these questions and also discusses the types of health, wellness, fitness trainers that can help equestr...

This episode is a welcome to High Performance Equestrian and outlines the content of the podcast and introduces the host, Fiona Hargraves.  The podcast will include information on sports and nutrition science, exercise, fitness, strength and conditioning for equestrians, health and wellness, health behaviour change and lifestyle all geared at enhancing rider performance. Host, Fiona Hargraves, is...