Who We Treat
"An excellent afternoon with you at The Balanced Rider clinic. You certainly have something for everyone, the new rider and the advanced rider and me somewhere in between." Patrick Kempe - classical rider and display team
Professional Riders & Trainers
"We have The Balanced Rider every 3 weeks to our yard, that's because we believe that behind every great win, is a great back up team." Roland Tong, Grand Prix Dressage Rider, Team IRE, Irish National Champion 2013
Beginners and unconfident riders
Adult beginners often comment that however much they are enjoying the riding experience it is difficult to concentrate on 'doing what I'm told' by the instructor whilst at the same time getting used to the feel of being sat on a horse for the first time.
A few sessions with The Balanced Rider can complement your riding lessons. During the sessions we discuss the importance of sitting well and how to achieve this in a relaxed manner. You can practice your position and riding balance away from the influence of the horses movement on the gym balls and mat work, which you can carry on and practice in the comfort of your own home. This can be followed up by sessions on the mechanical horse where you can practice your aids, co-ordination and gain confidence in an environment where you have complete control of how the horse is moving.
A few sessions with The Balanced Rider can complement your riding lessons. During the sessions we discuss the importance of sitting well and how to achieve this in a relaxed manner. You can practice your position and riding balance away from the influence of the horses movement on the gym balls and mat work, which you can carry on and practice in the comfort of your own home. This can be followed up by sessions on the mechanical horse where you can practice your aids, co-ordination and gain confidence in an environment where you have complete control of how the horse is moving.
"I've had a few sessions with The Balanced Rider including on the mechanical horse which really helped consolidate my riding lessons - thanks" Iain H. (photo top left and left)
"I started riding as a mature lady and did not appreciate how much of the body is used in this sport until this time. My sessions with Clare doing exercises using a gym ball have been invaluable in developing my posture and core muscles. I have progressed to the mechanical horse and find the encouragement and feedback, along with recommended reading a complete package. Thank you Clare." Sandra Torrance
"Thank you very much for all your support and encouragement. As a 67yr old rider with some joint problems who only took up riding recently, I have found our sessions invaluable in complementing my weekly riding lessons at Quob Stables. I greatly enjoy our sessions with you on the mechanical horse and feel that they are helping to improve my balance and confidence. The exercises that you suggested for me to do at home are also helping with my flexibility and strengthening certain muscles." Rosalind Rutt
"I started riding as a mature lady and did not appreciate how much of the body is used in this sport until this time. My sessions with Clare doing exercises using a gym ball have been invaluable in developing my posture and core muscles. I have progressed to the mechanical horse and find the encouragement and feedback, along with recommended reading a complete package. Thank you Clare." Sandra Torrance
"Thank you very much for all your support and encouragement. As a 67yr old rider with some joint problems who only took up riding recently, I have found our sessions invaluable in complementing my weekly riding lessons at Quob Stables. I greatly enjoy our sessions with you on the mechanical horse and feel that they are helping to improve my balance and confidence. The exercises that you suggested for me to do at home are also helping with my flexibility and strengthening certain muscles." Rosalind Rutt
Dressage
Riding in general involves symmetry, control and attention to detail but none more so than in dressage.
Whether you are aiming for your first Intro walk-trot test or campaigning at Grand Prix, The Balanced Rider can help, from improving your 20m circles to achieving equal elevation in the Piaffe on both diagonals.
"After just one treatment my riding is better, I am more conscious of my posture and my seat bones, and I don't have so much back ache and neck ache. Cannot wait for my next session." Elaine Grimes Advanced dressage rider and owner
"... just to let you know Rebus and I won the Novice class at Armed Forces Championship today, and my husband said it was the best he has seen me sit and ride. Thank you for all your help." Jill Monnox - Novice level
"Thank you for all your help and advice which you gave me over two days at Sparsholt. I was so impressed with how straight away you found my weak spot and how much softer my lower back felt after the treatment! You made such a difference in just two sessions!! I am hoping to get a few friends together so we can get you up to Newmarket soon!! If anyone gets the chance to go to see The Balanced Rider and have a session with them I would strongly recommend it! Thanks again." Debbie Tate - Advanced Medium
"You really have made a difference to my riding." Renaye Hawes - Novice dressage rider
"I have had a few sessions with The Balanced Rider and my riding and position has improved so much, and the 1st places are still coming in, thanks :)" Jezz Palmer, Int I Dressage Rider
"Thank you for my treatment I can't wait to come back in a few weeks! And already know I'm going to feel much better for it! Brilliant :) x"
Lucy Pye - Int I Dressage rider
Whether you are aiming for your first Intro walk-trot test or campaigning at Grand Prix, The Balanced Rider can help, from improving your 20m circles to achieving equal elevation in the Piaffe on both diagonals.
"After just one treatment my riding is better, I am more conscious of my posture and my seat bones, and I don't have so much back ache and neck ache. Cannot wait for my next session." Elaine Grimes Advanced dressage rider and owner
"... just to let you know Rebus and I won the Novice class at Armed Forces Championship today, and my husband said it was the best he has seen me sit and ride. Thank you for all your help." Jill Monnox - Novice level
"Thank you for all your help and advice which you gave me over two days at Sparsholt. I was so impressed with how straight away you found my weak spot and how much softer my lower back felt after the treatment! You made such a difference in just two sessions!! I am hoping to get a few friends together so we can get you up to Newmarket soon!! If anyone gets the chance to go to see The Balanced Rider and have a session with them I would strongly recommend it! Thanks again." Debbie Tate - Advanced Medium
"You really have made a difference to my riding." Renaye Hawes - Novice dressage rider
"I have had a few sessions with The Balanced Rider and my riding and position has improved so much, and the 1st places are still coming in, thanks :)" Jezz Palmer, Int I Dressage Rider
"Thank you for my treatment I can't wait to come back in a few weeks! And already know I'm going to feel much better for it! Brilliant :) x"
Lucy Pye - Int I Dressage rider
Para Riders
Wayne Lightbown on Sylvano V at the Nationals 2011
Following London 2012 Paralympics more of the general public are aware of para riders competing in dressage. Many para riders have difficulties and limitations that effect their daily lives never mind their riding. As a physiotherapist with a ten year history of treating chronic pain and long term conditions (including neuro), Clare from The Balanced Rider is in a key position to help and support para riders in many aspects of their riding and domestic lives.
The Balanced Rider is proud to sponsor Para grade III squad member Martin Matthew
"Writing on behalf on Martin, we can't thank you enough for the support, treatment and advice you have given him during his continuing sponsorship with The Balanced Rider." Vivian Bathurst
"I have regular appointments with Clare, and have found her treatment very useful for both my riding and general aches and pains. I have recommended her to numerous friends and would encourage anyone, para or not to book in and see her" Wayne Lightbown - Para Grade IV - riding at PSG
The Balanced Rider is proud to sponsor Para grade III squad member Martin Matthew
"Writing on behalf on Martin, we can't thank you enough for the support, treatment and advice you have given him during his continuing sponsorship with The Balanced Rider." Vivian Bathurst
"I have regular appointments with Clare, and have found her treatment very useful for both my riding and general aches and pains. I have recommended her to numerous friends and would encourage anyone, para or not to book in and see her" Wayne Lightbown - Para Grade IV - riding at PSG
Pony Club, Pony Squads and Young Riders including BYRDS
Daisy Jackson sponsored by The Balanced Rider
British Dressage, British Showjumping and British Eventing have pathways for riders under 21yrs to train, compete and advance in their equestrian discipline.
The Balanced Rider is proud to sponsor BYRDS squad member Daisy Jackson.
"What many of you will not know is that I suffer from a spinal condition called scoliosis which means that my spine is curved to the side rather than straight, and my rib cage is slightly twisted which means my body is not symmetrical. As you can imagine, this asymmetry means staying straight whilst riding can be a bit of a challenge and it has often been a struggle to maintain a good position especially whilst performing lateral work. In addition scoliosis has caused some suppleness issues and joint pain. Thanks to The Balanced Rider's sponsorship I believe that working with them on my body issues is going to be the single most important thing in terms of helping me grow as a rider. I will also be teaming up with Legless the mechanical horse on a regular basis with their help to improve my performance. The Balanced Rider works with all levels up to professional and even if they weren’t my sponsor I cannot recommend them highly enough." Daisy Jackson
The Balanced Rider is proud to sponsor BYRDS squad member Daisy Jackson.
"What many of you will not know is that I suffer from a spinal condition called scoliosis which means that my spine is curved to the side rather than straight, and my rib cage is slightly twisted which means my body is not symmetrical. As you can imagine, this asymmetry means staying straight whilst riding can be a bit of a challenge and it has often been a struggle to maintain a good position especially whilst performing lateral work. In addition scoliosis has caused some suppleness issues and joint pain. Thanks to The Balanced Rider's sponsorship I believe that working with them on my body issues is going to be the single most important thing in terms of helping me grow as a rider. I will also be teaming up with Legless the mechanical horse on a regular basis with their help to improve my performance. The Balanced Rider works with all levels up to professional and even if they weren’t my sponsor I cannot recommend them highly enough." Daisy Jackson
Hacking and Home Schooling
Hacking is often much maligned by those who concentrate on competitive riding. However for many of us who solely own a horse for pleasure there's nothing better than a hack out in the countryside leaving our hectic working life behind for an hour or so.
It can also be very physically challenging, sitting on a spooky or heaven forbide bolting horse takes a good deal of balance and stickability (core strength). Getting on from a gate can require a fair amount of co-ordination. The increasing length of time spent in the saddle can be detrimental to our 'usual' low back and hip pains. All of these can be addressed with a few sessions with The Balanced Rider.
"I've only been to a couple of sessions with The Balanced Rider so far, but they've got straight to the root of my problems (poor core-strength), given me exercises which seem easy enough that I do them (but they're hard enough to actually work) and most importantly, she's kind, supportive and friendly!" Catherine Roberts
It can also be very physically challenging, sitting on a spooky or heaven forbide bolting horse takes a good deal of balance and stickability (core strength). Getting on from a gate can require a fair amount of co-ordination. The increasing length of time spent in the saddle can be detrimental to our 'usual' low back and hip pains. All of these can be addressed with a few sessions with The Balanced Rider.
"I've only been to a couple of sessions with The Balanced Rider so far, but they've got straight to the root of my problems (poor core-strength), given me exercises which seem easy enough that I do them (but they're hard enough to actually work) and most importantly, she's kind, supportive and friendly!" Catherine Roberts
Side Saddle
Horse Ball
As I work as an instructor full time, the combination of yard work & riding means I used to suffer with aches and pains which were affecting my riding and other day to day activities. I have now been seeing Kim regularly since the beginning of this year and the improvements I have felt have been unbelievable.I'm also a competitive horseball player, which can be quite a tough sport! Kim is always there to help put me back inline after I take the game too far! I find Kim warm and friendly, but very professional.Nothing is too much trouble .I recommend her to everyone,horsey or not! Lisa Hoile BHSAI