Pilates for Dressage® will systematically and effectively teach riders how to improve their skills with Janice's defined set of principles for riding. Clinics can be offered in day, weekend or weeklong format.
Participant numbers:
up to 15 mounted riders
up to 10 additional participants for Pilates for Dressage® Mat work
Clinics begin with Janice Dulak’s lecture based on her book "Pilates for the Dressage
Rider." This provides an excellent introduction to the history and theories
of Joseph Pilates which are the foundation for Pilates for Dressage®. Janice will define the principles of body awareness and control essential to be an effective rider.
Following the lecture, Janice leads the riders in Pilates for Dressage® mat work- exercises specifically selected to find the musculature essential for riding. This two hour class distills the Pilates mat work into Pilates for Dressage® principles that will guide the rider toward better body use for improved riding.
When the particpants tack up and mount, Janice will first observe riders as they warm up their horses. Now riders have the challenge of applying what they learned in the morning session while they are in the saddle. The focus of the mounted sessions will include: correcting posture and seat position; learning to affect the horse with the body in halting, half halting; finding a more effective way to post and sit the trot; how to influence correct bend in a horse; and much more.
Sample Schedule
Day One
9:00 Power Point lecture on Pilates for Dressage®
10:00 12:00 Pilates for Dressage® mat work
12:00 1:00 Lunch
1:00 1:45 Mounted work
(continuing in 45 minute sessions, 3 riders per session)
Day Two
9:30 - 11:30 Pilates for Dressage® mat work
12:00 1:00 Lunch
1:00 1:45 Mounted work
(continuing in 45 minute sessions, 3 riders per session)
