I’m making this my first post because I see the need for the rider to address issues of fitness in themselves as well as their horse. Current views on this issue are mixed. Opinions range from “everyone” to only competitive performers. But to call the dressage rider an athlete, I think we must first define two terms: dressage and athlete.

“Dressage”, of course, is a French term that simply means “training”. Look at the “training pyramid” …….That’s certainly why we can call the horse an athlete.

Dictionary definitions of athlete are abundant…. “one who is proficient/competent in sports… with high level of dedication, skill, and fitness”. Bill Bowerman, Nike co-founder says, ” if you have a body, you’re an athlete”. I think that’s going a bit far. But I think he has an agenda.

On the other hand, Claude G Sil Araryo, MD, Phd, in an article in The American College of Cardiology, distinguishes athletes from “exercisers”. He posits 4 criteria that define an athlete: training to improve performance/results, active participation in sports competition, formally registered in local, regional, national sports federations, and that this training and competition is the major activity, way of living or focus of personal interest.

He then suggests the term “exerciser“. An “exerciser, he says is interested in and has as their primary goal, health and body “esthetics” rather than performance. To put is simply, athletes don’s exercise, they train. They have goals and a plan.

So, let’s look at the dressage rider. Do they meet the Araryo’s criteria for “athlete”? Well, it depends. I think very few dressage riders meet these criteria. If you strictly adhere to these criteria, it probably includes “elite” riders. So is that the end of the story? I will say, no.

I don’t think dressage riders are necessarily “athletes” , but nor are they simply “exercisers”. All dressage riders don’t compete with the goals of reaching “Grand Prix”. They have different reasons to ride. They may just like horses, they simply enjoy riding, some show for “fun”, or they are truly interested in the welfare of the horse and are utilizing “dressage” to achieve that end . For me, it’s education.

So, if the rider may not be an “athlete” by definition, and they’re not really “exercisers” to improve their health and physical appearance, what are they? I consider them as individuals participating in a sport… And as such have a responsibility, to prepare themselves for that sport, in order prevent injury to themselves, as well as to enhance their performance for the welfare of the animal.

So are riders athletes or not? Some are… most aren’t.. I say maybe… depending on your goals… and having said that, do you have any? Then I found an article that said one can “train like an athlete”. Kristin Dreffenbach, associate professor of athletic coaching at West Virginia University, says that calling yourself an athlete can plan an important role in how you see yourself and how you ultimately perform. I like that concept. Training like an athlete involves consideration of goals, adequate coaching, and fitness for the sport.

And this brings us around to “equestrian fitness”…. I think there are multiple reasons to consider it as integral to the rider of any level…. health, injury prevention, performance enhancement, and equine welfare. Studies are showing the real impact of an unbalanced, crooked rider on the horse. It’s what I have struggled with ever since I learned about that concept. So even if the rider doesn’t consider themselves an athlete, even if they ride only for “fun”, I feel we still have a responsibility, a duty, to consider the welfare of the horse and that means caring for yourself as the rider. When I look at horse owners/riders, they seem to give all priority to their horse… veterinary care, feed, supplements, tack, massage, farriery, acupuncture, Kinesiotping taping,…. you name it, but forget that they as the rider are one of the most significant factors in his welfare.