EQUESTRI-Sport improves the balance, mobility, coordination, strength and confidence of riders in ALL disciplines! Whether you want to make riding easier and more comfortable, or improve your riding, which improves your horse in multiple ways. It is unfortunate that as a country we are not viewed that way…until now. EQUESTRI-Sport was, and continues to be developed by instructor/clinician/ and hor
se show Judge, Bethany White. It all started when she was 17 years old and hit by a drunk driver. Bethany was a very avid rider and had high hopes of eventing at the highest levels. This tragedy left her lucky to walk and ride. Over the years Bethany worked with many physical therapists to be able to keep riding, and she rode professionally for many years. Her eyes we opened when Barbara Irvine introduce her to “Equicise,” and she was further intrigued when Hollie McNeil introduced her to “Balimo.” With this new inspiration, Bethany worked with more physical therapists and did many experiments with her riders to see what worked and what didn’t until she was ready to start her program, which is ever growing. EQUESTRI-Sport Clinics generally run around an hour and a half - sometimes longer depending on the needs of participants. Participants are taught active and passivestretches specifically chosen for riders. Each person is different, so other stretches may be added. After this each person has a turn on the Balimo chair, and we do stretches on this. MANY people have solved their canter/lope issues by working on their seat on the Balimo chair. It is eye opening. It helps to stretch the lower back and pelvis, helps with balance and long term use betters core muscles and strength. We next do short cardio work and discuss right and left sides of the brain and how to activate them before we ride, to make it easier to do many different things with our bodies at the same time. Last, but not least, is the under saddle portion. We do a large variety of coordination, balance, mobility, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Riders do various movements with different body parts in tempo with the horse. This is generally done at the halt, walk, and trot/jog. More advanced riders sometimes get to canter/lope depending on the class. In addition to being very good for riders, it is also very fun! There are always giggles throughout the whole class. It’s generally done in a group setting and we all learn from each other!
