Horse Rider Pilates

13/10/2025

Autumn themed homework! 🍂
Hold a twig of autumn leaves in each hand to make you aware of your hand position. Play with turning your palms up (little fingers in) and down (little fingers out) a little. Notice how this helps you to lift your chest and prevent a round shouldered posture. Think about the elastic connection between your elbows and your waist.

10/10/2025

Calf stretch to help your riding:
This is a great calf stretch to help horse riders to maintain a heels down position. Stand with your feet parallel and as wide as possible in ‘horse rider stance’. Lean your knees against the edge if the sofa and hold the stretch for a few seconds. Do not bounce in this position as this can cause micro tears in the calf muscles. Just take deep breaths and relax into the stretch with every exhale.

10/05/2025

British Dressage South and East Region Youth Camp ready to teach 3 classes back to back using gym balls, and foam rollers. A great day! Thank you everyone!

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ZOOM Horse Rider Pilates classes resume on Thursday 2nd January 6.15pm. Bentley Horse Rider Pilates classes resume on Monday 6th January 5.15pm & 6.15pm.

24/08/2024

ZOOM Horse Rider Pilates Thursdays 6.15pm. I£8 a class (pay £32 monthly by standing order) 48 weeks of the year (not between Christmas and New Year, Easter weekend or the last 2 weeks of August).

Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp Sonja on 07968810495 to book a place.

Recording available for one week after each class to catch up if you miss a class.

You will need: a mat, head cushion (or folded towel). Buy from us: gym ball £15, foam roller £16.50, band £5, small ball £5, sticky socks £5.

Set up your phone/tablet or laptop to see you from the side (as in the photos below). I can see you all on my big screen, instruct, correct and give homework. You can choose to see everyone or just me.

24/08/2024

Check out our YouTube channel for videos about posture assessment in standing and in the saddle, gym ball exercises and dressage simulator videos:

Share your videos with friends, family and the world

22/07/2024

Studio Pilates sessions for Horse Rider Pilates - one to one £50, two to one £25 each at Longfield, Binsted Road, Blacknest, Alton, Hampshire GU34 4QA.

To book:
WhatsApp Sonja 07968810495 or email [email protected]

Equipment includes:
- Reformer with tower
- Cadillac tower
- Two sizes of spine corrector depending on your height (fully adjustable)
- Ladder barrel (bring your own saddle to perfect your position, make alterations and recommendations)
- Wunda-chair
- Gym ball
- Trampet
- Saddle chair
- Balimo stool

Taught by Sonja Fitzpatrick (Chartered Physiotherapist for humans, Pilates Instructore and BHSAI Stage 4 riding instructor).

If you want to improve your seat, sitting trot, half halt, half pass and the harmony with your horse, Horse Rider Pilates is for you. A high intensity 60 minute session full of specific rider related detail including how to use your seat bones and pelvis as an aid, how to incorporate stirrup stepping into your riding, and much much more. Prepare to be challenged both mentally and physically, improve your core strength and flexibility. Your horse(s) will thank you for it!

To book:
WhatsApp Sonja 07968810495 or email [email protected]

22/07/2024

Horse Rider Pilates classes at @5.15pm, 6.15pm at Bentley Memorial Hall, Alton Road, Bentley, Hampshire GU10 5NB. No previous Pilates experience required. All level of riders from happy hackers to Grand Prix dressage riders. Plenty of parking in the car park then walk round the front to the other side door (see photo).

To book:
WhatsApp Sonja 07968810495 or email [email protected]

Horse Rider Pilates is a Pilates equipment class using gym balls, foam rollers, Pilates rings, small balls and bands for happy hackers, Grand Prix dressage riders, show jumpers, eventers, dressage riders and jockeys. Taught by Sonja Fitzpatrick (Chartered Physiotherapist for humans, Pilates instructor and BHSAI Stage 4 riding instructor. If you want to improve your seat, sitting trot, half halt, half pass and the harmony with your horse, Horse Rider Pilates is for you. A 45 minute class full of rider specific detail including how to use your seat (seat bones and pelvis) as an aid, how to incorporate stirrup stepping into your riding, and much much more. Prepare to be challenged both mentally and physically, improve your core strength and flexibility. Your horse(s) will thank you for it!

£10 cash pay as you go or £8 when you pay £32 monthly by standing order.

Come 15 minutes early to your first class to complete a registration form and buy a gym ball £15 and sticky Pilates socks £5.

Equipment provided:
Mats, head cushions, foam rollers, rings, small balls and bands.

To book:
WhatsApp Sonja 07968810495 or email [email protected]

01/01/2024

NOW ON ZOOM on Thursdays at 6.15pm. Horse Rider Pilates equipment classes £8 (pay £32 a month). Recording available for one week after the class.
Email: [email protected] to book a place or comment below.

An intensive 45 minute workout including gym ball exercises like these (and many more using Pilates rings, small balls and bands). Classes are taught by Chartered Physiotherapists who are also Pilates Instructors and either qualified to teach riding or have ridden all their lives, competing in a variety of disciplines including dressage, show jumping and eventing. Classes are suitable for jockeys, happy hackers, dressage riders, show jumpers and eventers.

Prepare to learn something new, be challenged and have fun! Your horse(s) will love you for it! 🐴❤️

You will need: mat, head cushion (or folded towel), gym ball, small Pilates ball and Pilates band and sticky Pilates socks.

WhatsApp Sonja 07968810495
or
Email: [email protected]
to book a place.

01/01/2024

Happy New Year to all our Horse Rider Pilates clients and your horses! Classes start this Thursday 4th January. I hope you have been having some fun with your gym balls! Link in comments for Horse gym balls! 🥳🎉🎊