by Guest Blogger Sally Spickard
Presented in Partnership with Hylofit
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It’s time for you to start thinking about your goals for the new season. Maybe you’ve given some passing thought to where you’d like to be with your riding by the end of the year. Or, maybe you’ve already penciled in some shows and clinics you’d like to attend in the coming months. But, where do you start to set yourself up for success?Â
Show days are long, and getting stronger in and out of the saddle can make these challenging days a bit easier and even more of a success, regardless of how you decide to define success.Â
I think back to when I started going to the gym on a more regular basis. It’s daunting, to think of where you’re starting out and where you want to be, isn’t it?
For me, the notion of how much progress I needed to make was enough to discourage me from starting.
It’s important to decide what motivates you.Â
For me, the notion I might make progress motivates me. So, when I start looking at my goals for the year, they’re based on progress. To make enough progress to run a longer distance, regardless of how long it may take me. Completing a bomb half-pass. Improving my jumping position.
These are tangible goals that I can can make progress toward achieving in a clear way. What does your list look like?
For some equestrians, success may be defined as a specific goal accomplishment. A blue ribbon at a certain jump height, moving up a level in dressage, or qualifying for a championship.
For some, accomplishing goals may not be the primary motivating factor. Some riders are motivated by the notion of doing right by the horse, or avoiding mistakes. Progress in this case may be as simple as coming up with a plan to have fewer rails at your next jumper schooling show.Â
Whatever motivates you, it helps to have tools to help you measure progress. A tracking system can be beneficial for both horse and rider, especially for monitoring fitness levels.Â
You can use technology like Hylofit’s heart rate monitor to do a baseline ride that will tell both you and your horse where you are, fitness wise.
Pay close attention to your horse’s heart rate recovery after work — a quicker recovery indicates increased fitness. And pay attention to how you feel, too. Need three walk breaks during your lesson? Keep track! Chances are, as you make progress, those walk-requirements will decrease.Â
Fitness extends outside of the barn, too. There are some simple ways you can improve your own fitness out of the tack to improve your future rides.
Park your car a bit farther away at Target and walk a few extra steps. Take the stairs. Walk the dog. You can even hand walk your horse! But, do make an effort to change your routine just a bit every day. Adding some steps here and there can increase fitness without the sometimes-dreaded trips to the gym!Â
Becoming more fit to ride can have big benefits for rider improvement in terms of position and the efficacy of your aids. Â
Horses and their riders are unique. It’s important to remember that motivation can differ as much as your goals! There are many paths toward accomplishment, and we all need to remember that doing one thing each day to make progress toward a goal will have a great result.Â
The efforts you have made in the off-season will come to light in your next off-property outing at a schooling or recognized competition.
About Hylofit: The Hylofit System is a heart rate monitor for horse and rider that provides 
real-time feedback and post-ride insights for both athletes. With wireless hardware and an intuitive app and web platform, Hylofit provides insights into the emotional and physical state of your horse. For more information, head to www.hylofit.com
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