05/09/2025
๐ฃ Calling all horseriders! ๐ฃ๐๐๐
NEW! Iโm super-excited to be bringing Pilates classes for horseriders to the Oak Lodge at Budleigh Salterton Riding School from the end of September ๐คฉ
Interested? Hereโs what you need to know ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฝ
Pilates is a fantastic cross-training exercise for horseriders, developing a stronger and more balanced body so that you can enjoy greater control and safety in the saddle. The skills you learn will also translate to better movement and a greater sense of wellbeing in your everyday life.
In particular, my classes will focus on:
๐ด ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต & ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐
Learn how to engage the deep abdominal, lower back and gluteal muscles that are crucial for maintaining your balance and posture on a moving horse. Donโt know where your core is? Donโt worry, Iโll help you find it! ๐ฅ๐
๐ด ๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐
A tall, aligned spine and good posture helps you stay centred in the saddle, reducing your risk of falling and allowing better communication with your horse;
๐ด ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
Good balance is crucial both on and off a horse but is something we can lose as we age. Pilates trains the deep stabilising muscles that help keep you upright; it also addresses muscular imbalances that most of us develop as a result of habitual body postures;
๐ด ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ/๐ฏ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Pilates teaches precise, mindful movement, helping you become aware of any asymmetries or tension in your body which, in turn, can adversely affect your horse. An improved mind/body connection will give you a better feel for your horseโs movements too;
๐ด ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ
If you can stay calm, focused and relaxed when youโre riding, your horse will too! Pilates teaches you how to use your breath to achieve this.
๐ด ๐๐น๐ฒ๐
๐ถ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐
To ride with fluidity requires good flexibility and mobility, especially through your hips, shoulders and spine. No matter how stiff or inflexible you think you are, regular Pilates is the secret sauce that coaxes joints to move more freely;
๐ด ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐น
Pilates builds the ability to isolate and control specific muscles while the rest of your body remains stabilised. In the saddle, this allows you to give clearer and more subtle aids and corrections;
๐ด ๐๐ป๐ท๐๐ฟ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Whilst Pilates canโt stop a horse from treading on your foot ๐คฆโโ๏ธ, a strong core and good postural alignment will give you more control and reduce strain on your joints and muscles. And improved balance and stability will help keep you keep your seat!
Whether youโre just about to Take Back the Reins or youโre a seasoned rider, these classes are for you ๐
No prior experience of Pilates is required, nor do you have to be bendy or look a certain way! These arenโt Instagram Pilates classes, they are classes for real people of all body shapes and sizes. People who would just like to feel stronger, move better and feel safer and more confident in the saddle.
All equipment is provided, although youโre welcome to bring your own yoga/pilates mat if you have one.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ป ๐๐ฝ? ๐๐
Enjoy the first block of 4 classes (days/times below) for a total cost of just ยฃ30 ๐คฏ
Thatโs just ยฃ7.50 per class, saving you ยฃ10 on the regular cost of a normal 4-week block booking!
Choose from one of the 3 following weekly days/ times:
๐ด ๐ ๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ฌ๐ฆ:
๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ฎ๐ต๐๐ต ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ฒ๐๐ต ๐ข๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ญ๐ฏ๐๐ต ๐ข๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐:
๐ 10am โ 10.45am, OR
๐ 11am โ 11.45am
๐ด ๐ง๐จ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฆ:
๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ฏ๐ฌ๐๐ต ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ณ๐๐ต ๐ข๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ญ๐ฐ๐๐ต ๐ข๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ:
๐ 8.30am - 9.15am (Ideal for early birds who like to get their exercise done and dusted for the day, or those who have signed up for Take Up the Reins at 9.30am at the riding school and want the best possible mental and physical preparation for an hour in the saddle ๐)
Please note, a minimum of 4 people are required for each class to run. Maximum 10 people per class. Payment must be made at the time of booking with no refunds for any classes missed.
These classes are likely to be popular so grab your place quickly โ first come, first served! ๐๐พโโ๏ธ๐๐๐ฝโโ๏ธ
To book your place, please email me at:
๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ@๐ฝ๐ต๐๐๐.๐ฐ๐ผ.๐๐ธ
and include your selected class day and time in the Subject header.
** ๐ฃ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐ก๐ข๐ง ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น ๐๐๐ฑ๐น๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐น๐ ** ๐๐ป๐๐ป
If there is sufficient interest in these classes I will continue to run them on a short 4 or 5 week block booking basis, following the calendar months, at a cost of ยฃ40 for 4 classes or ยฃ50 for 5.