You are stronger than you think

I’m Chrissy a.k.a Strong in the saddle and I’m here to help you realise your true potential as a rider

An amazing thing about Equestrians is that they are brave, strong-willed and a little bit crazy. Yet I often see them struggling with the same issues day in and day out.

Horse sports are fiercely traditional too and while I really support the dressing and etiquette of the sport it can hold us back in some ways.

You won’t like me saying this but, horse riding is just like any other sport, granted not many sports involve athletes putting their trust into a half-tonne animal, but when it comes to training for a sport they can all be broken down into two types of training.

With all sports, they do skills training, as do we when riding. However, the type of training we are falling behind in is strength and conditioning training.

Equestrians will always put their horse first. The horse will have the best gear, the best stabling, the best food but often this comes at a price to the owner. Outsiders of the sport think that we have loads of money because we have horses but often we just go without to fund them

How many times have you been in the stable putting on your horse’s brand new rug while you’re dressed in clothes that are close to falling apart because “sure I only wear it up to the horse anyway” and while I am the exact same in this sense, It drives me mad when I see other Equestrians struggling with old injuries or confidence when riding as they won’t invest in themselves.

There is only so much you can do with lessons, so if you’ve done all the lessons, had the physio, chiropractor and dentist up. Maybe it’s time to look at you and what you can do for yourself to improve your riding.

And remember your horse will thank you for it too!

Tell me more!

I’ve been horse riding myself for over 20 years and have noticed in the last few years the lack of knowledge in the industry when it comes to how strength training can impact riding.

The idea for Strong in the Saddle came from years of experience in both fitness coaching and equestrian sports, I have developed a comprehensive approach that integrates fitness, body awareness, and injury rehabilitation, to build your confidence and improve your scores.

My own journey in the equestrian world has been marked by triumphs and challenges (by challenges I mean elaborate dismounts). This gives unique insights into the physical demands of riding that many other trainers don’t have. This journey led me to combine my two passions – fitness and horse riding – to create a holistic program that addresses the specific needs of equestrians.

I’m not talking about those crazy workouts where you feel like your soul has left your body in a cloud of sweat and you can’t move for the next few days. I’m talking about workouts that target the muscle imbalances we get as riders and strengthen our bodies so we can be the best riders possible.

Cos when you feel stronger you feel more confident and when you’re more confident your horse is more confident.

Learn more

Who is Chrissy Hawkins?

So a bit about me...

I'm Chrissy, an online strength coach who works with equestrians to help them improve their riding position, rehab injuries and feel stronger and more confident, both in and out of the saddle..

I’ve been horse riding myself for over 20 years , but horses aren’t the only animals I love. I have two guinea pigs, Spud and Nippy (no he doesn’t bite) and a love for nearly all animals.

I’ve ownd my own horse Sam (who features in most of these pics) for over 15 years and he’s recently retired and living out his dream by being in the feild and eating all day.

Horses and horse riding has been a massive part of my life and that’s why I want to help other horse riders get the most out of their riding!

Remember YOU are stronger than you think!