SKM Riding LLC

12/18/2025

Sooo proud of our Ethan, Abby & Olga!! What a beautiful story of a lovely family 🥰

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BzDUxyfbQ/

11/08/2025

Youth Rider Fitness: Why "Just Riding" Isn't Enough Anymore (for many students)

Let's have an honest conversation about young riders and fitness. I'm seeing more kids struggle with basic physical tasks that used to be standard:
- Can't post trot for more than a few minutes without exhaustion
- Lack core strength for balanced sitting
- Struggle with flexibility for proper leg position
- Get winded easily during lessons
- Can't maintain two-point position

And here's the uncomfortable truth: Riding once or twice a week isn't enough to build the fitness riding actually requires. This isn't about body shaming. This is about performance and safety.

WHY FITNESS MATTERS FOR YOUNG RIDERS:
🐴 Riding IS an athletic activity
We're asking their bodies to do complex movements: balance on a moving object, coordinate multiple body parts independently, maintain core engagement, react quickly to changes.

🐴 Fitness prevents injury
Weak cores lead to poor position. Poor position leads to falls. Falls lead to injuries. Strong, flexible riders are safer riders.

🐴 Better fitness = better riding
A tired rider can't focus on technique. A weak rider compensates with grip and tension. A fit rider can actually LEARN instead of just surviving the lesson.

🐴 Horses deserve fit riders
An unbalanced, flopping rider is hard on a horse's back. If we care about our horses' wellbeing, we need to care about rider fitness.

THE FITNESS COMPONENTS YOUNG RIDERS NEED:
1. CORE STRENGTH
The foundation of everything. Without core strength, riders grip with legs, bounce in the saddle, and collapse through their position.

Off-horse exercises:
- Planks (start with 20 seconds, build up)
- Dead bugs
- Bicycle crunches
- Superman holds
- Stability ball exercises

Why it matters: Core stability = independent seat = better balance and control

2. LEG STRENGTH
Long, stretchy legs wrapped around the horse require strength AND endurance. Weak legs = gripping knees and tense lower legs.

Off-horse exercises:
- Wall sits
- Squats (bodyweight, then add resistance)
- Lunges
- Calf raises
- Step-ups

Why it matters: Strong legs can hug without gripping, maintain position without tension

3. FLEXIBILITY
Tight hips = stiff seat. Tight hamstrings = chair seat. Tight ankles = heels that won't drop.

Off-horse exercises:
- Hip flexor stretches
- Hamstring stretches
- Calf stretches
- Inner thigh/groin stretches
- Ankle mobility work
- Yoga (even 10 minutes helps!)

Why it matters: Flexibility allows proper position without force or tension

4. CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE
Riding IS cardio. If kids are winded after posting trot, they can't focus on anything else.

Off-horse exercises:
- Running/jogging
- Biking
- Swimming
- Jump rope
- Dancing
- Active play (yes, just playing outside counts!)

Why it matters: Endurance = ability to focus on technique instead of just surviving physically

5. BALANCE & COORDINATION
Riding requires proprioception - knowing where your body is in space while it's moving.

Off-horse exercises:
- Single-leg balance (progress to eyes closed)
- Balance board work
- Heel-to-toe walking
- Sports that require coordination (soccer, dance, gymnastics)
- Slacklining

Why it matters: Better body awareness = faster position corrections and safer riding

6. UPPER BODY & ARM STRENGTH
Independent hands require shoulder stability and arm endurance. Weak arms = pulling on reins for balance.

Off-horse exercises:
- Push-ups (modified if needed)
- Resistance band work
- Light weights (arm circles, overhead press)
- Rows
- Plank variations

Why it matters: Strong, stable shoulders = quiet, independent hands

HOW TO IMPLEMENT FITNESS IN YOUR PROGRAM: (For Instructors:)
1. Include unmounted exercises in lessons. 5 minutes of stretching before mounting makes a difference. Two-point holds at the end of lessons build strength.
2. Assign "homework". Give students 2-3 exercises to do at home between lessons. Make it simple and specific.
3. Make it fun, not punishment. "Let's build strong riders!" not "You need to get in shape." Frame it positively.
4. Show them the connection: "Your heels keep coming up because your calves are tight. Let's stretch them!" Help them understand WHY fitness matters.
5. Consider "Rider Fitness" clinics. Dedicate a session to off-horse exercises, stretching, and strength building (plus put a little cash in your pocket!!).

For Parents:
Your child's riding will improve dramatically with basic fitness work. Here's how to support them:
1. Encourage active play. Kids who move their bodies regularly have better body awareness and fitness for riding.
2. Limit screen time... I know it's hard, but sedentary time = weak bodies = struggling riders.
3. Make it a family activity! Do yoga together. Go for bike rides. Make fitness part of family culture, not a chore.
4. Support their "homework". If their instructor assigns exercises, help them remember and make time for it.
5. Celebrate effort: "I noticed you held two-point longer today!" Recognition motivates continued effort.

THE EXERCISES I ASSIGN MOST:
Daily (5 minutes):
- 30-second plank
- 20 squats
- 1 minute of stretching (hips, hamstrings, calves)

3x per week (15 minutes):
- Plank hold (build to 1 minute)
- Wall sit (build to 1 minute)
- 20 lunges (each leg)
- 20 calf raises
- Hip flexor stretches
- Single-leg balance (30 seconds each side)

It's not about being an athlete. It's about being FUNCTIONAL in the saddle.

REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS:
❌ Don't expect kids to become gym rats
❌ Don't make it overwhelming or complicated
❌ Don't use fitness as punishment for "bad" riding
✅ DO make it simple and consistent
✅ DO connect exercises directly to riding improvements
✅ DO celebrate small progress
✅ DO make it fun when possible
Even 10 minutes, 3x per week makes a difference.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
Riding is a SPORT. Like any sport, it requires physical preparation. We wouldn't expect a kid to play soccer without running. We shouldn't expect them to ride well without the fitness riding requires.

Better fitness = Better riding = Safer riding = Happier horses
It's really that simple.

For Instructors: Do you incorporate fitness work into your program?
What exercises do you find most effective for young riders?
Have you seen dramatic improvements when students work on off-horse fitness?

Let's talk about building stronger, safer, more capable young riders! Drop your tips, experiences, and favorite exercises below! 👇

11/05/2025

Why is the halt so hard?
Because it asks for everything we say we want in dressage:
🟢 Balance
🟢 Forward energy
🟢 Seat control
🟢 Soft, following hands
And it shows everything we don’t have—instantly.
The halt isn’t just a stop.
It’s a collection of energy.
It’s a moment of stillness built from motion.
And if you shut that motion down with your hands?
❌ You don’t get a square halt.
❌ You don’t get balance.
❌ You don’t get softness.
You get a blocked horse, a stuck back, and usually… a front leg curled under or out to the side.
Because hands block.
And what you block… can’t come through.
So if not the hands, then what do you stop with?
✅ The seat.
✅ The core.
✅ The intention in your body that says, “Wait with me here.”
The best halts don’t feel like a brake.
They feel like a pause button—with power still humming underneath.
And they only happen when forward isn’t lost.
So if you want a better halt?
Start by riding through it—not into it.

10/29/2025

🥰🥰

Aslong as you’re both happy, that’s all that matters ❤️

10/27/2025

Don’t let winter catch you off guard! ❄️

Add these tasks to your fall to-do list to get your barn (and horses!) ready for the season. 🐴🍂🧹

👉 What’s something you do that’s not on our list? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️

10/23/2025

🥳🎉🎊🎁🎂🎈Wishing a very happy birthday to Zeppelin today! Owned by Amanda Uhl and loved by everyone that meets him.

09/12/2025

21 bags of horse feed... Now how long until Checks decides he doesn't like these two kinds? 😂😂

07/16/2025

Wishing one handsome dude a happy 2nd birthday today! Ryker is owned by Alanna and she has big plans for him when he is older. 🦄. In return, he has literally changed her entire life in big ways!

07/12/2025

Dolly- red head mare to break stereotypes 💕 (grade QH 14.1 HH, 15 ish yrs)

If you're looking for a safe and sane mare, check her out!!! She can be someone's rockstar superstar pony! Absolutely no buck, bite, rear, take off, etc. Same personality wherever she is! Pretty even go and woah, and incredibly sensitive to both! Amazing passion to work💕

Have had all ages ride, but can get rushy. She was supposed to be a project for me.. but I've grown way too attached, so a good home is mandatory 🩷

✅ Pony rides, day camps, parties!
✅Trails (bridges, tarps, mailboxes, creeks, etc!), jumper, cross country, dressage, gaming, lead line, lessons, liberty, 4H, WSCA, working equitation, you name it!
✅Has given rides to people on the spectrum, fetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD/ADD, and more :)
✅Not spooky👻 and brave
✅Easy transitions and smooth gaits!
✅A dream to variate her striding 🦄
✅Used in lessons! Has jumped up to 3', but not overjumped!
✅English, Western, ba****ck, double 💕
✅Bridle, hackamore, halter
✅Lines up for mounting & knows some tricks 😜
✅Trailers, ties, bathes, rides with others or alone🦄
✅ Not bossy with other horses
✅Started on bridleless🎉🎉
✅Good for vet, farrier, chiro, PEMF etc!
✅Tarp, vehicle, pet, kid safe ✨✨✨

She does struggle with lateral movement along with neck reining (I just haven't tried to teach her)

Check out my FB to see her progression since I've had her! And tons of photo and videos! "Allison Bruggeman". She does roar, but it doesn't bother her nor are vets worried. Judges haven't mentioned it as a concern either!

Asking 1️⃣1️⃣,💲💲💲 but negotiable!

06/15/2025

Dolly has decided she really enjoys the jumper ring!

Thanks for the show yesterday, Turncrest Stables - we appreciate local, welcoming venues!!

I didn't snag any photos of the other riders that came with Alli or Vincent or Checks -- but they all had fun, too!

05/22/2025

🎉🥂I'm beyond thrilled to announce the newest member of the USDF Century Club, Diane Zapotosky Lund!!

Diane made a goal to "join the club" after posting about Coda's 30th birthday and learning about the Century Ride. She got busy with getting his saddle fitted (shout out to MidWest Saddle Fit), giving him multiple baths to help speed up the shedding process & attended weekly lessons to make sure they were in tip top shape for the big day!

Diane always puts Coda's health and well being first and foremost. Because of this, the team rode slightly before Diane's birthday bc MN can get too hot and humid in July! So at 30.25 and 69.75 years young, the beautiful pair danced their way down centerline surrounded by friends and family cheering them on from the sidelines.

Coda is officially owned by Olivia Huston and has been leased by Diane for the past several years, but has also stolen many riders hearts and safely gifted the love of riding to many friends and students (several of SKM Riding even!).

Cheers to many more healthy & happy years to this dynamic duo! And thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey - it's an honor & a privilege that I don't take lightly. ❤️

- Steph

05/18/2025

💪 THEY DID IT!!!

I don't know of anyone more deserving of her bronze medal than Allison Bruggeman! Years of hard work & constant dedication have finally paid off. She has such a deep love and respect for the sport, the horse, and the discipline that it takes to bring a horse along from training level to third level (though those lead changes on Checks is still a bit allusive). She's torn down barriers, refused to take no for an answer and continued to drive towards her goal.

Congratulations, Junior Trainer. So proud of you and Checks for earning your USDF rider bronze medal award.