As written by dressagedaily.com, Betsy Steiner is famous for her role in equestrian pilates, as she demonstrates a pilates movement in the above image.

As Betsy Steiner Demonstrates A Pilates movement, any Dressage rider who truly knows the sport and its major players at least knows of Betsy Steiner. With over 3 decades of Dressage experience under her belt, Steiner has practically done it all- from training numerous horses up to Grand Prix, representing the U.S. at the World Equestrian Games, to serving on the Athlete’s Advisory Council for the U.S. Olympic Committee. And that only skims the surface of all of Steiner’s incredible accomplishments over the past 30 years. However, there is one unique aspect of Steiner’s Dressage Career that stands out, and that is her Equilates program, a Pilates program for Equestrians allowing them to strengthen their core and use their bodily awareness and strength to benefit their riding.

Betsy Steiner and Unanimous at the 1990 Stockholm World Equestrian Games For those of you unfamiliar with Pilates, Pilates is a physical fitness system created by Joseph Pilates during World War I that incorporates awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and focuses on creating core strength to create a balanced body and sufficient support for the spine. Originally, Mr. Pilates created this system as a rehabilitation program for veterans of the war, and even those who were bedridden. Attaching springs to hospital beds made this possible, and his system was absolutely revolutionary. Mr. Pilates believed that mental health and physical health were intertwined, and thus, for the wounded veterans of the war to better their chances of recovery, he made it possible for them to strengthen their bodies and focus their minds on regaining strength in a time of weakness.

Pilates has come to the forefront in recent years and become very popular in the USA as a form of exercise and stretching used by many athletes. Betsy Steiner is known and famous for finding the use of Pilates as beneficial to the Equestrian rider.

Steiner tried every type of cross training she could think of to supplement her riding, but it was not until she started Pilates in 1995 that she had her realization. Steiner was in California when Cathie Teague, her first Pilates instructor, introduced her to the Pilates system. Steiner admits she’s been hooked ever since.

“I got into Pilates during my endless search to find an effective cross-training method to support and help my riding. I tried many different forms of training, weight training, yoga, tai chi… but Pilates just seemed to resonate with me,” she said. In 2003 Steiner trademarked the term Equilates and began to create a program that would ultimately aim to change the way equestrians think about riding, and about life.
“Once you really start doing Pilates it changes your life in the way you think about your body. You become keenly aware of any imbalances or misalignments you may have.”
In order to spread the word, Betsy started an Equilates teacher certification program in 2004 for Pilates instructors, primarily to focus them in on the aspects of Pilates that most benefit riders of all disciplines, but especially Dressage riders like herself. “Pilates has affected my riding in every way, Steiner admits. “It has given me the understanding and exercises to develop my core strength, teaches me focus on my correct body alignment and supports the discipline of mind and body.”

Steiner and other advocates of both Pilates and Equilates agree that Pilates improves the body from the inside out. “It has made me more supple and flexible, keeps my muscles toned which has improved the quality of my daily life. When your body is free from pain and constrictions you simply feel good,” she said.

A pioneer of Pilates for Equestrians, Steiner remembers a time when Pilates wasn’t so hip or chic. “I remember traveling 40 minutes to a Pilates studio when I moved from California to Florida – there weren’t any in Wellington.” But she recognizes that a lot has changed, thanks to her passion to pursue Equilates. “Now we have quite a few great Pilates studios in Wellington as well as private instructors that go to the stables to teach,” she said. “I think riders are so much more aware today of the importance of working out to stay fit and supple and be an athletic equal to our horses.”

Lately Betsy’s Equilates program, a Pilates program specific to the Equestrian rider has gained momentum and is extremely popular in many Equestrian circles. Betsy has credited Equilates with giving her the energy and ability to ride 6-8 horses a day, making the program a very beneficial tool for the Equestrian Dressage rider.

Tags: Equilates

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