The
Centerline Vol. 16, Issue 6
www.azdressage.org
JUNE 2016
Arizona Dressage Association
How I Used My ADA Scholarship By Marji McFadden
As a first-time recipient of the ADA scholarship, I wanted to ensure that I used my scholarship award for an activity that would provide me with longlasting benefits. Initially, I considered riding with a well-respected clinician but ultimately decided on a rider fitness program. After careful research, I found the right program for me: Equifitt, taught by Heather Sansom of Ottawa, Canada. I had found numerous references to Heather and her work on the internet, and I was particularly impressed by one of her articles in which she gave a clear bio-mechanical explanation of the forces which affect a rider’s position in the saddle. After reading that article, I decided to give Heather a call. Speaking with Heather on the phone, I found her professional, personable and knowledgeable. We discussed her various fitness packages and the details of conducting our sessions via Skype from our respective homes. After sending Heather the required paperwork and a video of me riding, we met for our first session, which was primarily an assessment of my existing exercise program and postural issues which were adversely affecting my riding. I was quite impressed with the thoroughness of the assessment. Heather asked me to demonstrate all the exercises which I had been doing at home for the past several years but had become less effective over time. She liked all the exercises, which focused mainly on core strength and stability, but said that I had reached my plateau with those exercises and needed new ones. Furthermore, Heather noted that my shoulders were extremely tight due to my long hours on the computer doing translation work and that my calves and hamstrings were also very tight. She even noted some upper body asymmetry of which I was completely unaware. Before the session ended, she prescribed a set of exercises for my weak areas and several stretches for my tight muscles. The next session focused on building additional strength and flexibility. Heather completely revised the exercises she had given me in our first session. Although I was quite surprised by the complete revision, I enjoyed trying the new exercises, which again challenged my entire body. The stretches, however, Photo provided by Marji McFadden
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