Attendees take in a presentation at the 2018 National Equine Forum. | Photo: Courtesy of the National Equine Forum

Fitness is important to performance, regardless of the discipline. The three-part practical and educational session on horse and rider fitness will commence with independent scientific consultant David Marlin, PhD, who will review cardiovascular fitness, the background to cardiovascular fitness training, and how it can be applied to different equestrian disciplines.

Then, Rachel Murray, MA, VetMB, MS, PhD, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVS, ECVS, Senior Orthopaedic Advisor at the Animal Health Trust, in Newmarket, U.K., will follow up with what cardiovascular fitness means in reality, focusing on core stability and muscle development in horses.

Ashleigh Wallace, MSc, human sports science physiotherapist and medicine lead, of the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Program, will round out the fitness session with focus on the rider and how asymmetry can impact the horse, whether an elite athlete or a grassroots rider