Equestrian Aquafit

Shallow water "horse business"

This is a silly and fun segment that I often incorporate as an icebreaker for new classes. Makes a big kid out of even the most stuffy participants

• 1) Warm up your horse
  Canter forward across pool, using a right leg forward rocking horse leg motion, arms with palms down and back; pull right hip through arms for full lap. Change to left lead, and repeat.
• 2) Fancy Dressage
  Trot your horse laterally across pool with grapevine legs, tapping palms to high knees, then repeat opposite direction
• 3) English Hunter Jumping
  3 forward jogs, then a forward pull-through (puddle jump) to clear the hurdle, covering length of pool (If you have a wide pool with lane stripes, jump the stripes).
• 4) Irish Steeplechaser
  Same as above, only instead of double "Jump the Puddle" leap; use the single leg "Gazelle" (or "Grand Jette") power off, with assisting breaststroke arms (thumbs up!)
• 5) Cowboy Gallop; Left travel lateral move, have "riders" squat down, hold the reins with left hand, give giddyup swat to butt with right hand. Power up leap high pushing off with right leg propelling body up and traveling left, queue landing with soft knees and pushing butt to bottom of pool, repeat to end of pool. Don't forget the "Yee-Haws"!
• 6) Steer Roping
  Rocking horse (right leg forward) and right arm out of water, queue swinging imaginary lasso (OR real pool noodle) in a circle, chase the "calf" to almost the end of the pool, throw the rope and lasso the steer, go to chair position and back your horse up against the current, clasping hands together and making a figure 8 motion with long arms, to fight the struggling steer. Repeat sequence left leg
• 7) Chuck wagon races
  (This is where it gets really crazy) Partner up holding noodles. The horse stands in front holding end of a noodle in each hand (like wagon traces) and the ride holds the opposite ends, and is facing the horse's back. The horse drags the rider in the chuck wagon to the opposite end of the pool, while the rider maintains either a seated chair position, OR sits in an "L" shape with feet off the floor, opening and closing legs to slow down horse further. Make sure you trade partners.
• 8) Pull the Plow
  Same as above, but rider leans way back, with wide legs dragging on pool floor, trying to slow down horse (WARNING; can be hard on the feet without shoes on!)
• 9) Circle the Covered Wagons
  Repeat any of these moves in a big circle forming a current, change direction, or reverse for more challenge

Thanks for all the great ideas, it keeps us all from getting stale!
Enjoy. All in favor, say NEIGH!

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