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25% Off Lifestyle Guides •

Achieve Harmony with Your Horse

Solve Your In-Saddle Problems with Effective, Out-of-Saddle Solutions

I’m Patricia, the creator of the Move. Ride. Thrive. (MRT) Program at Equisport Fitness. My goal is to help you become the best partner for your horse through a unique blend of martial arts, bootcamp-style workouts, and resistance training. Together, we’ll enhance your fitness, mindset, and nutrition to elevate your riding and achieve harmony with your horse.

Our Unique Fitness Approach

At Equisport Fitness, we believe that the body that dominates your riding effectiveness is the one you carry to the saddle. While mindfulness and minor adjustments during riding are important, they cannot make up for our modern sedentary lives that prevent most equestrians from carrying their best physical self to the saddle. To truly excel in the saddle, you must work on yourself outside of it.

Our programs address common rider challenges like tight hips, leg and hand position, poor posture, balance, and confidence issues through a fusion of martial arts, bootcamp-style workouts, and resistance training. We’re also not about blindly going harder; we teach you how to do fitness smarter. Instead of running you into the ground, we focus on an effective, lasting approach that helps you pick up positive health habits and improve your overall mindset—all while living your best life!

Who We Help

  • The Urban Equestrian

    You have a responsible job and must commute to your horse. You cannot ride as much as you want and are usually pressed for time. You need an efficient workout that helps maximize the time you get in the saddle. The urban seated lifestyle creates tightness in key areas such as the hips and shoulders creating challenges to stay fit. You often joke that the best time for you to workout is either 6AM or late at night.

  • The Rural Equestrian

    You are juggling responsibilities. Most of your time is spent driving to things because of distance and as such your ideal scenario would be home based workouts because you just don't have the time to drive into town for the gym. You get physically tired because you also do horse or property related labor. You need fitness that helps you prevent injury, reduce physical wear, ride better, and be flexible for indoor/outdoor workouts.

  • The Student Equestrian

    You are all about horses and want to do the right things to train your body early on so that you have the best chance to develop properly, and keep on riding as long as you live. You have goals, but are juggling school and maybe a part-time job. You don't have a large budget.

  • The Professional Equestrian

    You are on a horse, working in the stable, or coaching for hours everyday. You know you have to manage potential repetitive strain, and maintain your body because your living depends on it. You are tight on time and need a training plan that doesn't conflict with your client or competitive responsibilities. You need your training to be flexible for when you are on the road. You probably have developed strain issues and body compensation that needs to be addressed so that they don't affect your riding abilities or shorten your career.

Our Programs

Guides

Developed for equestrians on a budget. These guides deliver a structured workout plan with step-by-step guidance that gradually progress in difficulty, ensuring that you get better week after week.

Monthly Membership

Having trouble with staying consistent? Join our monthly membership program for access to structured workouts, nutrition and habit development videos, martial arts classes, monthly equestrian fitness themes, recipes, mindset/fitness challenges, participation prizes and group support.

90 Day Transformation

Developed for lifelong changes, the MRT Method isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about building sustainable habits, cultivating the right mindset, and ensuring long-term success. Led by Master Trainer Patricia, you’ll learn alongside like-minded riders how to achieve and maintain your equestrian fitness goals.

About Me

Your Coach!

I’m Patricia, the creator of Equisport Fitness! I am a longtime equestrian with experience in the Dressage, Show Jumping and Hunter rings. I have my Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a 1st Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo. I am an equestrian fitness coach, a writer, and an educator in Toronto. I’m also a certified personal training specialist.

Signs Its Time To Get Fit

  • You run out of breath during your ride.

    Riding is a cardiovascular activity, meaning your heart is working hard to supply air to your brain and limbs. If you find yourself catching your breath after a bit of trot or canter work, it is recommended that you look into increasing your air capacity in your lungs. Out of saddle exercises like resistance training, hiking, or martial arts can help you increase your lung capacity which in turn will help you maximize your time in the saddle.

  • You have a hard time keeping balance in the saddle.

    Do you tip too far forward or lean too far back in the saddle? Do your horse's spooks unseat you? Do you find yourself leaning to one side? These are all symptoms of a weak core. Equestrians primarily ride from their torso, so if this area isn't functioning optimally, then your riding will be affected. Working on flexibility and strength in your torso is key to making the most of your time in the saddle.

  • Your horse does not respond to your aids.

    When your aids are unclear, you will find yourself in constant miscommunication with your horse. As you know, this can quickly become dangerous, so it is important to address it. Cross training methods such as martial arts are great for addressing these issues because they use a centered body control method, meaning movement control comes from the core and torso. These methods of exercise will help you gain control of what your body is doing in the saddle, so that your aids are clear to your horse.

  • You experience back pain during your ride.

    Back pain is quite common in the equestrian community. Typically, riders complain of lower back pain, but the mid and upper back are also a frequent hinderance. Usually, back pain is a symptom of muscular imbalances or tense/tight muscles in the abs, glutes, hips, upper and mid back areas. Our seated lifestyles also create tension in our bodies that work against us when we ride. To combat this tension, riders should consistently stretch and resistance train to build balance in their body.

  • You feel "out-of-sync" with your horse

    Do you feel yourself bouncing around in the saddle? or do you and your horse end up going in different directions frequently? Our goal as equestrians is to be centered and one with our horses, however, tension and imbalances in our bodies get us into trouble and prevent us from riding optimally. Out of saddle strengthening exercises and stretching are key to helping your body follow your horses movement with fluidity and ease. These methods remove tension and increase strength in your core, which is what you primarily use to ride your horse.

  • You have a hard time keeping your heels down.

    Do your heels constantly creep up while you ride? Do you find yourself gripping the saddle with your knees? and no matter how many times your trainer reminds you, you just can't seem to keep them down? Heels coming up is a symptom of weak gluteal and hamstring muscles, tight hip flexors and calves. Stretching your calves and hips while strengthening your core are key to helping solve your heels down woes.

FAQs

  • At Equisport Fitness, we integrate martial arts principles, specifically Taekwondo, into our equestrian fitness program to enhance your riding skills. Through Taekwondo, you’ll learn kicks, punches, blocking techniques, and combinations that build strength, agility, and coordination. Additionally, we incorporate Taekwondo-specific endurance-building and strengthening exercises that target your core, legs, and upper body. These elements not only improve your overall fitness but also directly translate to better balance, body control, and mental focus in the saddle. By mastering these martial arts techniques, you’ll develop the physical and mental resilience needed for more effective and harmonious riding.

  • Equisport Fitness is designed for equestrians of all levels who want to improve their riding performance through targeted fitness training. Whether you’re an Urban Equestrian with limited time, a Rural Equestrian juggling physical labor, a Student Equestrian balancing school and riding, or a Professional Equestrian needing to manage physical strain, our programs are tailored to meet your unique needs.

  • No prior experience in martial arts or fitness is required to join Equisport Fitness. Our programs are designed to be accessible to all fitness levels. We provide modifications and progressions for each exercise, ensuring that you can start where you’re comfortable and build your strength, flexibility, and confidence over time.

  • With consistent participation in the MRT Program, you can expect to see improvements in your core strength, balance, flexibility, and overall riding performance. Many of our clients also report enhanced mental focus, reduced physical strain, and a stronger connection with their horse. The results vary depending on your starting point and dedication, but most clients notice significant benefits within the first few weeks.

  • While results can vary, many clients start to see improvements in their strength, balance, and riding ability within 4-6 weeks of consistent training. For more significant changes, like improved flexibility or advanced core strength, you can expect to see substantial progress within 3 months. Remember, the key to success is consistency and staying committed to the program.

  • Our workouts are designed to be flexible and can be done with minimal equipment. Typically, you’ll need a mat, resistance bands, and a set of dumbbells. Some exercises might also incorporate a stability ball or a foam roller. If you don’t have access to certain equipment, we always provide alternative exercises that you can do with what you have available.

  • You can absolutely do these workouts at home! Our programs are designed to be versatile and convenient, so whether you’re at home, in a gym, or even at the barn, you can complete your workouts with minimal equipment. We provide clear instructions and modifications to ensure you can make the most of your workout in any setting.

  • Getting started with the Equisport Fitness MRT Program is easy! Simply visit our Programs Page to choose the plan that best suits your needs. Once you sign up, you’ll receive access to our workouts, nutrition and habit guides, and support resources. If you have any questions or need help selecting the right program, feel free to contact us directly—we’re here to help you every step of the way!