Chukka Wellness: How the High Goal Teams Prepare

India Parker-Smith is the founder and owner of Chukka Wellness which provides the leading training and movement methodology designed for the equestrian athlete to enhance suppleness, stability and strength in the saddle. India is a Personal Trainer who offers online and offline fitness training designed to elevate the well-being of the equestrian athlete. Using her knowledge of seven years she has created a series of masterclasses, a virtual membership hub and online training programmes all designed to complement the equestrian’s health and wellness both in and out of the saddle. You will find more information on India’s services on her website www.chukkawellness.co.uk and Instagram page @chukka_wellness

How the High Goal Teams Prepare

2021 Cartier Queen’s Cup Spotlight

Cardio exercises get the blood pumping Ladder routines are great for agility warm ups

India overseeing Jack Richardson’s muscle engagement exercises

Photography courtesy of Chukka Wellness

Despite Covid regulations so far the 2021 UK high goal season has been a success! Chukka Wellness has had the honour of working with the Thai Polo Team for the Cartier Queen’s Cup Tournament. This year the team has consisted of Ned Hine, Louis Hine, Juan Gris Zavaleta and Gonzalo Pieres. Before each game the players received a Chukka Wellness style warm up which consisted of some light cardio exercises, muscle engagement exercises, agility work and reaction time drills. The aim of the warm up is to mentally and physically prepare the players for action.

Muscle Engagement Exercises

Resistance bands are our favourite piece of equipment for the warm up; they come in different shapes and sizes and we use a variety to engage the glutes, legs, back and shoulder muscle groups.

Agility Work

This is where the ladder comes in – we send the players through the ladder using different routines (four feet in each box… two in two out…sidestep through). This mentally activates the players and gets them thinking fast with an elevated heart rate.

Reaction Drills

You will find the Chukka Wellness car is full of different sized balls; tennis balls, Pilates balls, swiss ball and we love to mix up the warm up routine using different combinations of them. One of our favourite drills is the ‘Ball-

Warm Up

Cardio Exercises

This starts with some light jogging, side steps and grapevines. The aim here is to raise the heart rate and get the blood pumping to the muscles ready for action. Drop’ which not only works on reaction time but allows the players to have some fun and joke about before focusing on the intense game.

Preparation

The day of the game we encourage players to have a light but substantial breakfast and lunch, sip on water throughout the day and ensure they are well stocked with light snacks that they may need during and after the game (banana or a protein bar).

However, preparation doesn’t start the morning of the game; players have been training all year round for their high goal tournaments. Many focus on their nutrition, body maintenance and mindset to ensure they are in peak condition for important tournaments.

“Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their Champion Character.” – T.A Armstrong

Recovery

Time out of the saddle is just as important as time spent in the saddle.

Effective recovery strategies involve:

• Ice baths (Hazel Jackson is a big fan of these) • Protein shakes – these are full of BCAAs which promote muscle repair (we prefer vegan options such as that from

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Chukkawellness10) • Lots of water – not beer… • Regular stretching • Recovery-based training sessions – mobility, muscle engagement to address any imbalances, injury prevention.

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