What are the best Pilates exercises for riders? Also, will there be sport specific pilates routines in the future?:)

Hi Jodie- Riding encompasses a lot of different forms, and I haven't worked with dedicated riders but I have been a serious rider.... so I wonder...Western vs. English, Jumping vs. Dressage, Cutting vs. Eventing... etc. etc.! These vary quite a bit if you want to get specific about the emphasis they require (some more "seat", some more leg). But, to be general, I might concentrate on exercises like Horseback series (I like best best on Barrel), Hip Opener on the Cadillac, Pelvic Lift (both articulating and neutral), Legs in Straps/Springs series as well as standing single Leg work on Cadillac, Step Ups on chair (watch that left and right legs may be very different for those who ride - and mount and dismount only from the left- a lot). Hip differentiation should be a theme.... but a well-rounded Pilates program should work its magic for this population.

Pilates for equestrians is a great idea. I can't say how soon, but this is a category I would like to fill and have been talking to a couple of instructors about. Thanks for the input.

Just researched this for my monthly Pilates newsletters for my clients. Elizabeth Hanson is a name that popped up everywhere...she may be one to contact...just sayin'

I am interested in this area, too. Have a dressage rider with some issues.

I work with many Equestrians, mostly Dressage, Eventing, Jumpers and crazy fox Hunters! Opening the hips is a must as equestrians are mostly in a parallel position. Hip flexors will be very compressed so lengthening the psoas and hamstrings is key. Saw is an excellent movement for the Dressage/Hunt Seat rider as a square pelvis is critical for these disciplines. One of the biggest challenges is getting the Equestrian out of their quads and having them learn how to engage the hip flexor correctly. There is a great book, Pilates for the Dressage Rider by janice Dulak that has great insight to working with Equestrian and gives information the client can use on their horse!

Heather Sansom in Canada would probably be a great resource--Equifitt is her business name, I believe. And I second the tight hip flexors---the personal strength trainer I had for a while really tried to work on that with me. Lower back/core is also a problem spot for many riders.

Hi there,
I'm an FEI dressage rider and pilates instructor. My main emphasis is pilates for riding. I have written a series for a horse magazine and you can find the articles here: //www.horsemagazine.com/rebeccaasht onpilates/
They are just a few but I describe why they are good for riders. Obviously it's even better if you can see the rider on the horse and pick up their imbalances there. The other thing I would advise non-horsey instructors is to really get their clients to try to take the awareness from pilates onto the horse. Sounds obvious but you'd be surprised how many riders seem to keep the two separate!
Hope this helps! X

Hi everyone nice to see that there are other riders here. I am a dressage rider who started doing pilates because of my riding and I now work with a lot of riders. I do go and see them ride but I also find that whatever I see in the studio also comes up on the horse. Besides trying to address their weak areas I put like to emphasize timing and coordination. The great thing about Pilates is that you get to work on yourself at you own pace but once you're on the horse you have to be able to put it all together.

Would love to see pilates for equestrians here:)