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!

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 .

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.

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.

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.