Annette Kriller, Mongal Derby Rider

I previously took part in the 2017 Mongol Derby but unfortunately didn’t finish due to being bucked off after 850 kms and needing medical care so when I entered the 2019 Derby I was determined to cross the finish line..

I had done some exercise and rode regularly but wasn’t totally sure how best to prepare myself for such a ride and the time was drawing closer. With just over 8 weeks to departure I was recommended Clare at RiderCise to help prepare me for the 1000km across the Mongolian Steppe and despite the short time frame (normally a min of 3months prep apparently!!) Clare designed a bespoke rider fitness programme for me which I could do around my busy schedule. I am a Vet with my own clinic in rural northern Sweden and have 36 sleddogs and 4 horses to look after!

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When I struggled Clare was there to help and the best thing she said to me was ‘This is not a competition you are working to be the best YOU can be’. That allowed me the freedom to try, even if it wasn’t perfect, I was going to be the best I could be.

And although Clare is based in the UK, the programme was delivered via the mobile app so it didn’t matter where in the world I was, as long as I could either use the app or get online to view my workout and the detailed exercise instructional videos, which for me it was very important to have the visualisation of how the exercise should look like. In order to get the full benefit of the programme I needed to make sure I was doing the exercises correctly so after watching the exercise instructional videos in the programme I recorded a small video on my phone of me doing each exercise and sent them to Clare to check. Once Clare has approved all of the exercises I could move on with the programme.

Over the short 8 weeks, I fed back to Clare via the app and on Skype how I was finding the exercises, what was hard, easy or near on impossible and Clare adjusted the programme as she thought best to further develop my rider fitness and accommodate any issues I may be having.

I crossed the finish line in 17th place out of 27. I wasn’t first, but I wasn’t last, I was in the middle, where I wanted to be and more importantly, I finished. Not only did I finish this time but I also didn’t suffer with pain in my adductors, stomach or back, something that haunted me in the 2017 Derby.

If I had known about Clare sooner I would have started training for the Derby with her a lot earlier and who knows how good I would have felt then!

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Jessica Gale, Dressage Rider

I have worked with Clare for over 3 years now and in this time she has completely changed my approach, knowledge, understanding and motivation to exercise.

As a rider herself, Clare understands that riders don’t have hours to spend in the gym and can’t be sore and unable to muck out/ride and although the exercise sessions are short and simple, they make such an incredible difference to your riding and can be fitted in to any part of a horse riders day – no excuses!

By doing exercises that are rider specific I am focusing on the issues that I have in the saddle and so every session I do is improving me as a rider and also my horse. My position has improved, I’m more balanced and stronger through my core and my horses are thanking me for it! And my scores have gone up too!!’

Tracy Thompson, Endurance Rider

A friend introduced me to the ‘RiderCise 9 week challenge’ and I decided to give it a go.

I liked the idea that it was designed with horse riders in mind and works to improve core strength and balance.

I was concerned that due to my mobility problems I might struggle to do the programme but chatting to Clare put my mind at ease. The challenge starts with ten minutes of exercises and stretching three times a week and is easy to fit in.

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I loved the app on my phone with a detailed description and video of each exercise and really appreciated the benefit of having Clare on the other end of the phone. If I came across an exercise I could not do due to my balance she quickly came up with an alternative.

I had a spinal injury in 1998 and its very easy to just accept the limitations that it brings but RiderCise has taught me that I can improve my mobility. At the start of the challenge I used to watch the video on the app and then seeing my attempt was pathetic. My legs just would not give me that range of movement and for a few weeks I really did wonder if they ever would. Now I am not claiming I have morphed into a Russian gymnast but I certainly have gave gained greater flexibility.

I would recommend the programme to anyone and its ideal for people short of time. It can be difficult fitting in visits to the gym etc but you can do this anywhere at any time. Clare is brilliant at what she does and I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say she can improve your riding. Give it a try and your horse will reap the benefits .

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Chantel Rowlands, Dressage Rider

I have known Clare a few years now, but only got into RiderCise about couple years ago. I always thought I was fit to ride as I have a physical job of running a medium competition & training yard, so my day consists of lots of walking, mucking out, riding, lifting heavy things and so on. I was surprised when I started RiderCise how unbalanced I was and unconditioned my body was.

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Through doing RiderCise I’ve become more balanced and conditioned to help my riding and also help my horse. When I started RiderCise we were competing Prelim and now, we are competing Advanced medium, training PSG which is just so exciting 😃

I love the RiderCise app as it gives you a reminder in the day, keep’s a check of your progress, keeps me focused in my training, it’s so easy to use and Clare is always there to give advice.

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Caroline Davy, Dressage Rider

A new horse at the end of last year came with the realisation that, if I were ever to ride him properly, I would have to up my game.

Gucci – a Dutch Warmblood had been owned by my trainer and had been competed at Medium level when I bought him. I had been Showing my Cob in Veteran Classes for the past few years but hadn’t ridden consistently for nearly 18 months due to my Cob’s injury and subsequent box rest. 

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Gucci is beautifully trained but he doesn’t ‘give’ if you don’t ask correctly! It soon became apparent that to maximise his potential, I had to put myself in a position where I could ride him to the best of my ability. 

I’d tried Ridercise previously but with no horse to ride – I lacked motivation. Gucci was the kick-start that I needed to take my fitness seriously. I was ‘fit’ but not ‘riding fit’ – not strong enough to hold him through my body, not supple and balanced enough to move parts of my body without all the other parts moving in sympathy!

I’ve now completed two ‘9 Week Challenges’ and am following a maintenance programme with Clare. The Ridercise programme does just what it says on the tin – it improves riding fitness. I now notice the different results I am able to get from my horse and other people have seen the improvements, which is always such a buzz to hear! I’ve definitely developed a more independent seat, I’ve changed my position drastically and I hopefully now look more like a dressage rider than a lump of ineffective jelly!

I’ve realised that it is not a quick fix but what in the horse world is? There is little point spending money on your horse’s health, his tack and numerous lessons if you are not in a position to help him too. Rider fitness is an intrinsic part of the jigsaw and it’s ongoing. It’s all very well listening to your instructor telling you to change your position but if you lack the muscle and strength to maintain this – it comes to nothing. 

Clare’s programme makes everything easy. The exercises are split over the week and the software is very self-explanatory. Recording personal bests and seeing the progress chart grow over the week is satisfying and offers a sense of achievement. Clare is always on hand to answer questions – tailor exercises to fit any aches and pains or specific needs – and above all – is very encouraging and professional.

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Della Short, Endurance Rider

I am a fifty-something endurance rider who is noticing the passing of the years (but to be honest flexibility has never been my thing) and enjoying my food a bit too much.

I met Clare from RiderCise at the Golden Horseshoe in May 2019. After a bit of encouragement, I signed up for the 9-week rider challenge in June. Well, that was interesting! The good news is you do the exercises in your own time, in your own home, when the rest of the family is in bed/at work/ in school, no one to snigger when you don’t look like an Olympic gymnast!

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When I struggled Clare was there to help and the best thing she said to me was ‘This is not a competition you are working to be the best YOU can be’. That allowed me the freedom to try, even if it wasn’t perfect, I was going to be the best I could be.

Having the app meant I could discipline myself because I wanted to tick those boxes, especially as the challenges gently increased. I slowly began to realise that my riding fitness was improving, my coordination, my ability to control my aids, my balance & strength, my flexibility. My instructor noticed the difference, my horse definitely did. More importantly, for me I didn’t suffer from ‘John Wayne Day’ that awful feeling of clinging to the handrail because every stair hurts.

Our season was going well and I had a little fairy tale going on in the back of my head about riding 3 days at The Red Dragon Endurance Festival a total of 126km and hills. Big Hills. I had finished the 9-week challenge and the ride was 7 weeks away so I signed up for 6 weeks of Intermediate Ridercise, that way I knew I would be in the best shape I could be to help Obi.

Pictures paint a thousand words.

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