The Rider Project recently announced its newest program, the Whole Rider Workshop. This one day or entire weekend curriculum brings equestrians indoors to educate them on the best way to communicate with their horses.
The Rider Project is the creation of founder Lisa El-Ramey. Her experience and knowledge as a United States Equestrian Federation Senior “S” dressage judge, professional horse trainer, nationally successful competitor and successful riding instructor/coach led her to create the Rider Project to assist equestrians seeking a better and more harmonious relationship with their equine partners.
The Whole Rider Workshop program evolved from Seat Retreats offered at Oak Hammock Farm in Loxahatchee. The Seat Retreat is a one day, no horse required, clinic. The day begins studying riding theory, methodology and examining biomechanics and physiology of the rider and horse. Additional activities include yoga, work with a personal trainer and evaluation by a massage therapist. The yoga, exercises and massage are tailored to areas benefiting riders. Lastly, participants ride on a lesson horse on the lunge line. While on the lunge line, riders apply concepts learned earlier in the day. The benefit of being on the lunge is the freedom riders have to focus completely on themselves, as the horse is controlled from the ground by the instructor. Here they clarify how issues specific to their bodies can be improved with the new concepts and insights gleaned throughout the day.
The 2019 Seat Retreats were so effective at accelerating improvement in participants, the demand to expand the concept sparked the Whole Rider Workshop. Whole Rider Workshops continue incorporating the foundation established in the Seat Retreat format but augment the participant’s experience with the addition of a wellness/nutrition expert and a performance coach.
An opportunity to participate in an upcoming Whole Rider Workshop will be March 14-15, with March 14 at the Palm Beach State College Loxahatchee Groves Campus and March 15, limited to eight riders and their horses, hosted at Oak Hammock Farm. Other dates and locations include March 28-29 in Lake City, Florida, and April 18-19 in Michigan. More dates and locations will be announced. To book your seat today, visit www.theriderproject.org.
