October 17, 2009

Never mind the horses: dressage riders today need to be in peak physical condition and train specifically on the ground to overcome weaknesses developed through today's sedentary lifestyle.

With the top ranking European dressage championship nations - The Netherlands and Great Britain - focusing more on the physical training of their riders, other nations need to take heed, says multiple Olympic medalist Heike Kemmer and professor Eckart Meyners, a teacher of movement therapy at the University of Luneburg in Germany.

The pair note that part of the 'know how' to train riders 'on the ground' comes from Germany.

Together they will address the Global Dressage Forum on October 26 in the Dutch town of Hooge Mierde, tackling the most common rider problems, including transferring negative tension to the horse. This will be followed by a panel discussion with top trainers, riders and the audience.

For over 30 years Eckart Meyners has been teaching equestrian movement and has published numerous books as well as dozens of articles on the theme. Simplified, Meyners says that it is mainly due to the blockades in the cervical, thoracic and pelvic area that virtually 'block' the feeling for mobility and therefore considerably worsen the natural seat.

Meyners, who teaches movement theory, health theory, equestrian education science, athletics and badminton, is an internationally recognised expert in the field of movement teaching, and the inventor of the so called Balimo training system. The Balimo trains for three-dimensional pelvic movements and a release of pelvic blockages.

Physical weaknesses and deficits, partly created by today's sedentary lifestyle (insufficient movement, too much sitting) are attempted to be compensated for in his seminars with specific gymnastic methods.

Heike Kemmer is a successful dressage rider who won team gold and individual bronze at the Olympic Games in Hong Kong. By winning six gold team medals at Championships and Olympic Games in the last eight years, she is one of the most respected riders in Germany. One of the key factors for this long term success is her training with Meyners.