REGISTRATION IS OPEN:

EARLY REGISTRATION - $320

AFTER 01/08/24 - $380

Elevate Your Ride, Body, & Mind!

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Join top professionals in the fields of horsemanship, fitness, and health as they share their knowledge with fellow equestrians.

Event Schedule

8:30am | WELCOME | REBEKKA SCHULZE

8:40am - 9:10am | LECTURE | DANIELA LEIDY

Why Fit For The Saddle?

Daniela will explain why fitness is important for equestrians - from a professional trainer's viewpoint.

9:15am - 9:45am | WORKSHOP | CRISTEN GREGORY

Qigong

Qigong is the study of how Qi/Vital Energy moves in the body. Qigong uses gentle movement, visualization, and breathing exercises to turn inward and connect with the energy meridians. Qigong can be modified for absolutely anyone and is appropriate for both the beginner and the advanced student. Effects that can be felt immediately are a greater sense of calm, focus and fluidity in the body.

9:50am - 10:05am | LECTURE | AMY MIERZWA

Principles and Benefits of Kinesiotaping

Unlock the secrets of movement optimization while I discuss kinesiotaping principles. I'll unravel the transformative benefits of this innovative technique. Join me as we explore how this dynamic approach enhances performance, accelerates recovery, and empowers a pain-free lifestyle.

10:05am - 10:15am | BREAK

10:15am - 10:45am | WORKOUT | VICTORIA TORRIE-CAPAN

Myofascial Stretching

Myofascial Stretching is unique as it stretches a muscle within a fascial chain and has a global effect on the entire body. The muscle must be contracted throughout the stretch, which strengthens the muscle in the end range while also stretching. Myofascial stretching can be very effective in improving agility, posture and tissue quality.

10:45am - 11:15am | WORKOUT | REBEKKA SCHULZE

Do Pilates Because You Love Your Horse!

Rebekka is a life long Dressage rider, Physical Therapist and Master Pilates Instructor. During her session, she will guide you through a basic Pilates routine to improve posture, core strength, flexibility and body awareness.

11:20am - 11:50am | LECTURE | CHRISTIAN BAIER

Breathing Techniques

Christian shares his passion for health and solving problems through connecting the dots and breathing techniques.

11:50am - 12:15pm | Q&A WITH ALL PRESENTERS

12:15pm - 2:15pm | LUNCH BREAK & MODALITY DISCOVERY ZONES*

*2 Modality Discovery Zones are included with your ticket.

See below for Discovery Zone Descriptions.

2:15pm - 2:45pm | LECTURE | ALICIA ROMEO

Goal-Setting for Improved Performance

This session will focus on using SMART skills to improve motivation, overcome obstacles, and work toward achieving goals.

2:50pm-3:10pm | WORKSHOP | CHRISTIAN BAIER

Breathing Workshop

Experience breathing techniques to solve problems and improve sports performance.

3:15pm-3:45pm | LECTURE | LISA GORSUCH

Nutrition For Riders

Lisa will be discussing the 6 pillars of a healthy lifestyle including diet, physical activity, sleep, mindfulness, alcohol and tobacco avoidance and social connection.

3:45pm-4:00pm | BREAK

4:00pm-4:30pm | WORKSHOP | VICTORIA TORRIE-CAPAN

ELDOA

The ELDOA method was created by Osteopath Dr Guy VOYER with the purpose of creating space within the joints through fascial tension. The ELDOA exercises are performed with the spine in axial extension which improves the proprioception of the spine and strengthening the deep extensors for optimal posture.The ELDOA also has a regenerative effect to the intervertebral discs to hydrate and equalize pressure on the discs. ELDOA is particularly beneficial to the equestrian to improve the proprioception and strength of the spine. This will help to receive the information transmitted by the horse and efficiently use the riders body to communicate with the horse.

4:30pm-5:00pm | Q&A WITH ALL PRESENTERS

Modality Discovery Zones

Included with your registration, you can select 2 modality appointments.

These are 10 minute 1-on-1 sessions, with the exception of the

Breathing Mini Workshop which is 20 minutes in groups of 4.

Auricular Acupuncture

Appointment Required - 10 minute session

Auricular Acupuncture uses very tiny adhesive needles on specific points on the ear that stimulate areas of the body and energy meridians that need attention. The needles can remain on the ear for up to a week.

SMART Goals In Action

Appointment Required - 10 minute session

Each participant will have the opportunity to identify an individual goal and develop a plan to accomplish it.

Proprioception Zone

No Appointment Necessary - Self-Guided

pro·pri·o·cep·tion/ˌprōprēəˈsepSH(ə)n/

noun

-perception or awareness of the position and movement of the body.

"exercises to improve balance and proprioception"

You are invited to try different tools that are used to improve proprioception. This is a self guided station where you can go at your own pace.

ELDOA

Appointment Required - 10 minute session

Victoria will share one or two ELDOA exercises specifically chosen for your body in this one on one session.

Breathing Mini Workshops

Appointment Required - 20 minute group sessions

Four mini breathing workshops to choose from:

1. Know your body and get to know some basic technology and techniques in order to raise awareness of my health and breathing habits.

2. Breathing for calming the mind and increased overall health and wellness.

3. Breathing for strong athletic performance and altitude training.

4. Breathing for calming the mind and increased overall health and wellness.

Thermomix+Nutrition

No Appointment Necessary

Learn about the perfect kitchen helper and sample some goodies made with this “Wonder machine”. Get your nutrition related questions answered by our expert, Lisa Gorsuch.

Kinesio Taping

Appointment Required - 10 minute session

Amy will be offering kinesiotaping applications to participants to help with areas you may be experiencing pain or limitations with.

BEMER

Appointment Required - 10 minute session

Experience the benefits of BEMER and learn how increased blood flow can improve health, performance and recovery for riders. Full body session and one area of concern.

Massage

Appointment Required - 10 minute session

An abbreviated chair massage will be offered for identifying tension, soreness, or imbalance within the soft tissue. This information can bring increased awareness to riders for improving balance, posture, and proprioception (where you are in space and time) with exercises, bodywork, breath and meditation, and continued focused training.

BEMER Horse Set

No Appointment Necessary

Discover the benefits of BEMER for your horse.

Presenters

Top professionals in their field will be sharing their expertise and knowledge.

Rebekka Schulze

Do Pilates Because You Love Your Horse!

Bio

Rebekka Schulze is the owner of Pilates and Horses - a Classical Pilates studio in the Lake Norman area, North Carolina. She is a German native and German trained Physical Therapist, also holding a bachelor’s degree in PT from University of Sydney, Australia. Due to her extensive knowledge about the human body and the Pilates method she became a Pilates teacher trainer, a mentor for soon to be teachers and a Pilates presenter. Rebekka’s passion are horses and Classical Dressage. She is not only a FN certified horse riding instructor, with years of teaching experience but also certified by the RDA Australia as an instructor for people with disabilities.

Rebekka is dedicated to helping equestrians - through the teachings of Joseph Pilates - to achieve more balance in the saddle and therefore building a deeper connection with their horses.

Daniela Leidy

Why "Fit For The Saddle"?

Bio

Daniela Leidy has worked with horses for over 20 years and is a USDF L Judge and a USDF Bronze Medalist. Originally from Sweden her riding and teaching style gears towards strong and fit horses and technical riders. She has a lot of experience bringing young horses along and as an instructor teaching young and old solid foundations.

Cristin Gregory

Qigong

Bio

Cristin Gregory is the owner of Wellbeing Natural Health in Davidson and a Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) in the state of North Carolina. She is board certified by the NCCAOM in both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, and she has a four-year Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM) from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR. She has studied Qigong for over 20 years in the US, China and Tibet under the tutelage of Master Wu ZhongXian, Master Heiner Fruehauf, and Master Wang Qingyu. She has studied several schools of Qigong including the Jinjing gong and the Mount Emei schools.

Amy Mierzwa

Principles & Benefits of Kinesiotaping

Bio

Amy Mierzwa, PT, DPT,CMTPT/DN, CKTP, MFDc received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University in 1998. She worked in a variety of settings including outpatient orthopedics, home health, and assisted living for 15 years before starting her own private practice, Performance Solutions Physical Therapy, in 2013. Her practice focuses on sports medicine rehab and injury prevention in athletes of all ages. Dr. Mierzwa is certified in trigger point dry needling, kinesiotaping, myofascial decompression, and custom orthotics fabrication. Amy will be offering kinesiotaping applications to participants to help with areas you may be experiencing pain or limitations with.

Victoria Torrie-Capan

ELDOA and Myofascial Stretching

Bio

Victoria Torrie-Capan is the owner of Studio 66, a boutique fitness studio in Nashville, TN. Victoria began studying Pilates in 2002 at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in 2004 with extensive coursework incorporating Dance Therapy, Psychology, Anatomy and Kinesiology. Victoria completed her Pilates certification through Romana’s Pilates in 2005. Victoria is a certified ELDOA trainer and student of world renowned osteopath Dr Guy VOYER and has been training under him since 2016. The principals of the ELDOA method are an integral part of her teaching methodology.

Christian Baier

Breathing

Bio

Christian has a passion for health and solving problems through connecting the dots. He is located in Memphis TN/ USA but travels throughout the US, Europe and Asia as an equestrian trainer. My passion is helping people of all ages solve problems and improve sports performance and breathing in equestrian sports.

Alicia Romeo, MD, DFAPA

Goal-Setting for Improved Performance

Bio

Alicia Romeo, MD, DFAPA is a psychiatrist and assistant professor adjunct at Yale University School of Medicine. A former college rower, Dr. Romeo interests include optimizing wellness in sports and in life. She is currently the regional medical director for Author Health, a telehealth company focusing on the treatment of severe mental illness.

Lisa Gorsuch, MD, FACOG, DipABOM, DipACLM

The 6 Pillars of a Healthy Lifestyle

Bio

Dr. Lisa Gorsuch has been in private practice in the Lake Norman area for 24 years. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obesity Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine. She is also certified by the North American Menopause Society. She has a strong interest in educating her patients and community in intensive lifestyle changes, including diet, physical activity, sleep, mindfulness, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connections, to prevent , treat and even reverse chronic disease and promote wellness.

Elizabeth Crabtree

Equestrian Massage with Elizabeth

Bio

Elizabeth’s holistic approach began at the university where she earned a degree in Public Health with a minor in Chemistry. Her education coupled with a lifelong interest in health, wellness, and a preference for a natural approach led her to equine massage certification.