Who is Tia, and what is Riders Core Training?
Tia Blowman
Coach (core strength and conditioning certification)
Hey and welcome.
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I'm Tia, and with passion to always be the best I can in any discipline (background in triathlons, cycling and bodybuilding), as well as good equestrian success in showing and dressage here in the UK, I strive to always improve and understand how to progress and be better.
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I am now also training as a British Dressage judge to improve my own knowledge and development that I can use to help others.
My background gives me a great understanding of human biomechanics, and translating this now to Equestrian Riders to help them progress and ride to their best ability.
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Yours in sport,
Tia
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These issues then have an effect on our horses way of going. Most common ones experienced are:-
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Going onto the forehand.
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Drifting out on circles.
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Incorrect canter leads.
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Dropping back legs over jumps.
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Lacking straightness.
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Not connected over top line.
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Switches of to our leg aids.
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These are JUST SOME OF THE ISSUES that can be contributed because we the rider are not in our own balance.
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We often invest a large amount of money and time into our horses through lessons, physios, tack and the latest equipment etc but very little on self improvement. Are we not 50% of the partnership with our horse?
Do you demand he is supple and soft - yet are YOU?
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How many of us experience the following and are struggling to improve it.
Or maybe you have you plateaued in your training despite many lessons/new trainers etc etc.
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Do you understand how you are influencing your horse?
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Do you have a horse that falls on the forehand in downward transitions?
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Do you have a crooked horse?
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Issues with correct canter leads?
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When jumping you struggle to turn after landing?
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Horse drops back legs over jumps?
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Does your lower back ache from riding?
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Do you collapse on one side?
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Can you sit to the trot without pain or discomfort?
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Many upper and lower body issues can be related to issues in and around the core.
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The difference training your core can make to your riding is huge.
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There is a reason many top riders work on their mobility, balance and core!
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I aim to help riders of all levels and disciplines understand why THEY need to invest in themselves. Improve their own ability and the direct effect you will see in your horses way of going will rapidly improve.
My online 8 Week Program is designed to fit around your busy lifestyle in the comfort of your home. Get real results in a little as 3 x 20 minute sessions per week.
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Thank you.
Tia
Riders Core Training (Rider Biomechanics)
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I'm sure many of us will have heard of horse bio-mechanics, as this been around now for many years. More recently, attention has also turned and with (research to back it up) to the rider. Correct rider biomechanics (position) is essential to optimise the horse’s way of going and consequently, horse and rider performance.
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Understanding the riders body, by looking at the way they sit, move, balance etc help us understand areas that are restricting, blocking or causing miscommunication with our horses.
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Many common riding position issues come from our core area - by focusing mainly here, I can help eliminate many rider issues such as:
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Gripping knees/thighs.
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Heels coming up.
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Lower leg swinging.
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Hands not still.
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Head nodding.
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Cant sit to the trot/post.
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Tipping forwards.
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Using the reins to balance.
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Research supports the benefits in a program such as the "Riders Core Training 8 Week Course"
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The results are clear - if your wanting the best for your horse, then be the best YOU can also be.
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An equestrian’s muscular fitness (muscular strength and endurance) is important for not only controlling their own position but also for controlling the horse; resisting a pulling horse, moving a lethargic horse forward or requesting lateral movement.
(Terada 2004; Meyers 2006).
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In-saddle only practice was not sufficient enough to promote significant improvements in rider muscular fitness
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Research into 8 week rider program provided evidence ALL riders showed a significant improvement in their symmetry after the programme, with a decrease in left-right mean pressure on the horse's back. The average stride length in the horses also increased by 8.4%.
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Asymmetric rider position has an effect on thoracolumbar range of motion and limb kinematics. Riders should consider the effect that their position/asymmetries have on the locomotor system.
(R. Mackechnie-Guire 2018)​
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Lack of strength in postural muscles can promote rider-position asymmetry. Such unevenness can result in conflict between horse and rider communication, loss of balance and potential injury
(Symes, 2009)
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Horses move with longer strides and more freedom in their backs after their riders complete core strength training. That’s because core fitness helps riders sit more symmetrically in the saddle, reducing uneven pressure on the horse’s back.
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Overall 98.3% of those surveyed agreed that rider fitness had an impact on performance,positive changes in muscular fitness, which appear to have positively influenced riding performance after 8 weeks of cross training.
(Bye & Chadwick, 2018)
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