Women are
taking over today's horse world. From weekend schooling shows
to the boardrooms of the sport's major organizations, the female
element is growing
in numbers and power.
Mary
D. Midkiff, a rider and horse business professional, believes
this female perspective is bringing with it a revolution in the
way horses are understood, equipped and ridden. In FITNESS,
PERFORMANCE AND THE FEMALE EQUESTRIAN (Howell Book House/Macmillan
USA/Oct 1996), Midkiff takes us through the changing dynamics
of women on horseback to arrive at a new approach to riding effectiveness.
Combining insight into the relationship between women and their
horses with practical advice on exercise, equipment and nutrition,
she provides a blueprint for better performance with less stress,
greater comfort and maximum enjoyment.
Midkiff,
who is president of Equestrian Resources (EQR), a Boulder
Colorado-based marketing firm, says female equestrians now represent
over 80% of today's horse enthusiasts and participants. But, she
adds, since the techniques, equipment and teaching methods used
with horses have not moved in step with the growing involvement
and influence of adult and young women, "it's time to catch
up."
FITNESS,
PERFORMANCE AND THE FEMALE EQUESTRIAN is an all-discipline,
all-breed approach for the female rider to improve her team performance
with her horse. The book addresses the evolution of women and
riding; techniques which emphasize finesse over strength; exercises
which are done both on and off the horse, and nutritional recommendations
for female riders' specific needs.
Designed
for experienced riders or newcomers, the book is an indispensable
resource that highlights such issues as:
- Biomechanical
and anatomical considerations for women;
- Stretching
and strengthening exercises to enhance performance;
- Steps
to balanced riding;
- Saddle
balancing, fitting tips, and equipment designed for the female
rider;
- Riding
and its relationship to aging, pregnancy and lifestyles;
- Nutrition
and dietary considerations in daily and competitive riding.
The
book features AWAREness (A Woman's Approach to Riding Effectively).
A series of tips throughout signaling key summary points on health,
fitness, nutrition, safety and comfort. It also gives female riders
some ammunition in the fight to have riding fully recognized as
an intensive athletic endeavor "An average woman will expend
up to 550 calories preparing and vigorously riding for an hour,"
Midkiff explains. "These numbers compare favorably to sports
like tennis, snow skiing, swimming and running."
Expert
contributors in the book include Peggy Cummings, a recognized
and certified instructor, clinician and trainer, Mary Beth Walsh,
a physical therapist on the faculty at Marymount University and
a certified British Horse Society Assistant Instructor; and Margaret
McGovern, a licensed and registered dietitian.
In
the forward, Chrystine Jones Tauber, a former Olympian in Grand
Prix Jumping for the United States Equestrian Team, praises this
book "as an important guide for women who want to feel well,
ride well, and extend their active years. Once you have make exercise,
body maintenance and nutrition a part of your dietary routine,
it becomes very easy to stay on a lifetime program of well-being
which will provide you with the enjoyment of riding to the best
of your ability."
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