What constitutes fit? When dealing with the concept of fitness, it pays to have a benchmark.
F E AT U R E
What does being fit actually mean? Alison explains that although it may
Getting your eventer fit
sound like a simple question, fitness is actually both a science and an art: “If we’re talking about fitness for eventing, we’re not really talking about schooling or jumping, we’re talking about sufficient fitness to be able to cope with the demands on competition day.” And those demands are far greater than
With a degree in Equine Sports Coaching, ALISON LINCOLN has taught extensively in colleges across the UK and has a special interest in eventer fitness.
E
you might think, which is one of the key reasons a rider may find their horse goes fantastically at home, but never performs quite as well at an event. “I have people say ‘I can gallop my horse at home for six or seven minutes and
venting is the ultimate test of
itself. UK-based equine sports coach,
he's fine, but when we get galloping
equine endurance and stamina.
author and eventer Alison Lincoln has
during cross country at the event, he
Adequately preparing your
immersed herself in this area to unlock
horse to perform at their very best in
the secrets and help other riders make
this demanding sport is a skill set unto
the breakthroughs they are looking for.
24 | E Q U E S T R I A N H U B I S S U E 6 • 2 0 2 2
dies on me. What can I feed him to pep him up?’ But really they need to look at fitness,” Alison explains. “You're not just getting the horse fit for the cross
