This is the second in a new series of articles in which we will investigate the quality aspect of training and how to maintain a healthy, sound, and happy equine athlete. While logging miles is important, the manner in which we do so is equally, if not more, crucial. The first article touched on the basics and "riding in the box," and in this insta...
This is the first in a series of articles I wrote for the EGB endurance magazine in 2023. I have added it as a blog as well for you to enjoy and use. You can find all follow up articles in the Free GE Community, so have a look there for a lot of information. I (well, really hubby and me 😉 ) bought a new car. Our older (very fuel-efficient) diesel n...
Have you ever heard of the term "Social Licence"? I came across the term recently and I realised improving our social licence, as equestrians, but also as endurance riders is for a large part why I do what I do: I want riders to learn and know more, so they can become better ambassadors for our sport each day. But what is a "Social...
I'll let you think on that question for a moment, and while you are thinking about the type of equestrian you are, also think on whether you are happy being that type or if you perhaps want to be different? Many of you will be the "Passenger type" maybe even without realising you are...Or perhaps you know you are the passenger type a...
We've got you covered! Loads of help available for you, something for everyone.You might just want to listen to a webinar one evening, or follow a number of them. But it could also be you want more structural help via one of the endurance coaching courses on our website. Let me start with what we have to offer webinar wise: Keep an eye on...
Have you followed the World Endurance Championships 2024? If you didn't, have a look at the different media available. A start in the dark in a huge thunderstorm and then 160 km of tough muddy conditions, really testing all combinations at this top level of our sport. Being a Dutchie in the UK, I supported 2 countries, cheering on both the Dut...
We have been working on this project for a while, and on Saturday 30th March, we began the first session of the Groen Equestrian 2024 Comparative Heart Rate Study in Banbury, Oxfordshire. As many of you have noticed, I am very interested in heart rates, particularly how various breeds of horses respond to the same workload and how we can provide be...
Making your training schedule can be hard: how much should you train, what rides to do, what about tapering, rest and other things you need to consider to compete your horse happy and healthy? Groen Equestrian can help. We have a lovely package to help you:3 recorded webinars and 2 30 minute face2face zoom sessions to give you the th...
This is an old piece (4 years ago to be precise) I wrote after being part of the Dutch team for the 2019 European Championships. It still resonates very much with me, especially now I have taken a little break from endurance until the youngsters are old enough to start. Watt and me will be doing other fun stuff in the mean time. Have a read, s...
What a year. What a horse!A total of 8 rides ( 9 ride days) and 460 km (the most she's ever done), nearly 9000m (!!) elevation including the Golden Horseshoe 80 km and Red Dragon 80 km! In 2022 I have solely focused on competing Asphodele Larzac, my small (but huge ) amber champagne part bred Arab mare. So why is she both small ...
They say oxygen is the source of life ,and of course that is correct, (nearly) all metabolism needs oxygen to perform. So we could say: More oxygen = better performance We could have a huge heart, the best muscles for the job and an unlimited supply of fuel. But without the oxygen, and with that the lung capacity to get oxygen to t...
This a perfect time to sign up for one of the 2 endurance coaching courses Groen Equestrian has to offer to get ready for you new upcoming endurance season. Yes 2 courses!Besides the year long course Endurance: Step by Step" we now also offer the 4 month (extension possible) course "Endurance: train smarter not harder"Have a look at this video in w...
STARTING WITH ENDURANCE When you become a (free) member of the groen Equestrian Endurance community (just sign up via this tab: Become a free member or log in if you have subscribed before) you can view a lot of free content:Information about Esther Groen and all her horsesIntro's for all the series in the libraryInformation about the "Enduran...
I was reminded of this phrase in a chat with an endurance friend recently, don't dive before you can swim, or perhaps in horse riding terms: Don't gallop before you can walk. Some might want that 100 miler, some might want "that special ride" and some want to win the biggest races. Big goals are amazing, but often there i...
Now the schools have started again, the structure of "normal" life has started once more. And what better time for us to do some "studying" as well? In my coaching I often get asked about heartrate monitors, which one to use and how to use them. They can be a super tool to aid your training so that's why I will start with 2 webinars...
As an equestrian sports coach (focusing on endurance) it is always interesting to visit rides without taking part as a competitor. My previous blog (Exercise physiology 1: the importance of warming up for our energy stores) was about my experiences at a ride I was helping out at. I talked about the importance of a proper warming up by comparing our...
As an equestrian sports coach (focusing on endurance) it is always interesting to visit rides without taking part as a competitor. Crewing or volunteering can give fascinating insights into what some endurance riders get up to. It helps me finding issues people might need help with, and I can give something back to the ride organisers that ar...
It is January in the UK, and many (as am I) are looking forward to the rides and competitions ahead. We all have an idea in our head what we want out of our season, but have we actually prepared for it? And if we have, have we really and honestly looked if our goal is feasible and what we should do (or sometimes even harder, what we have...
Through centuries and cultures, wintertime is seen as a period to reflect. To look back at the year behind you and to look forward to see what is potentially upcoming. Many of us had a few tough years, but we all hope next year will be a bit easier, or at least a little less unpredictable. Like many of you, I am reflecting as well. About last seaso...
"Believe you can and you are halfway there"And I'll help you with the other half!) The Groen Equestrian endurance community Is ready for you now!You can become a (FREE) member of this community which allows you to browse tutorials that introduce all about endurance, intro's for the more in-depth series on endurance, the online endura...
