Fit & Focused in 52: The Rider's Weekly Mind-and-Body Training Companion

by Daniel Stewart

Overview

Coach Daniel Stewart has made a name for himself over the past 25 years, enthusiastically training riders of all levels throughout the world, as well as coaching top athletes on several US Equestrian Teams at World Championships, World Equestrian Games, and the Olympics. He’s widely considered one of the world’s leading experts on equestrian sport psychology, athletics, and performance, providing tips and quips at hundreds of clinics a year, in his bestselling books, and online through his Pressure Proof Academy.

Now Coach Stewart is combining his popular rider mental conditioning techniques with ideas for physical conditioning, as well. In Fit and Focused in 52 for Riders, readers get quick-hit recommendations for one exercise for the body, and one for the mind, for every week of the year. The end goal is attaining full-on fitness that ensures improved performance on horseback, whatever your age, ability, or discipline. With 52 weeks of creative cross-training, and loads of ideas for customizing workouts to fit personal goals and lifestyle schedules, riders are sure to find themselves positive, pumped up, and ready to go, from head to toe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781570768071
Publisher:	Trafalgar Square
Publication date:	12/26/2017
Pages:	184
Sales rank:	634,737
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Daniel Stewart has been a successful international trainer and instructor for over 30 years, working with riders in the United States, Spain, Portugal, England, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, Greece, and the West Indies. From 1999 to 2007 he coached riders on several US Equestrian Teams at World Championships, World Equestrian Games, and the Olympics. Coach Stewart teaches riding clinics and seminars to thousands of riders each year and is currently a consultant for USA Equestrian and USA pentathlon. He’s a sought-after keynote speaker for many national conventions, and is the equestrian sport psychology expert for the USEA, USPC, USHJA, as well as other equestrian associations. Widely considered one of the world’s leading experts on equestrian sport psychology, athletics, and performance, Coach Stewart is the author of three books and produces weekly equestrian sport psychology video tips, rider fitness video classes, and instructor certification videos through his Pressure Proof Academy. He teaches multi-day Equestrian Athlete Camps at some of America’s most elite athlete training centers, helping riders prove that they are athletes. His previous books include Ride Right with Daniel Stewart and Pressure Proof Your Riding. When not on the road, he resides in Naples, Florida (pressureproofacademy.com).

Editorial Reviews

Daniel Stewart's mental and physical training exercises would be a great addition to any rider's program. I'm a big fan of his and love reading his articles…I send them to all my students because I know everyone can benefit from becoming more confident, focused, and fit…and Daniel's equestrian sport psychology and fitness programs are a great way to do it!” — Boyd Martin, US Olympian


“Behind every great athlete is an even greater mental game. That's where Daniel Stewart comes in.” — Laine Ashker, Advanced Level Eventing Champion, American Eventing Championships 2013


“Daniel Stewart has put together a wonderful mental coaching program, and I know riders everywhere will really enjoy and benefit from it!” — Lucinda Fredericks, Olympic Silver Medalist


“After attending one of Daniel's workshop sessions, I always feel energized to go home, work harder, and do more with my horse. His blend of psychological and physical training reminds us that we are athletic partners to our horses, and we need to prepare ourselves for competition with the same fervor we prepare out mounts. With this book, I now have Daniel's encouragement and support in the comfort of my own home. This book can't replace an in–person session with Daniel, but it is the next best option!” — Erin Woodall, Activities and Events Director, US Pony Clubs, Inc.


Looking to take your riding to the next level, seriously? Coach Daniel Stewart has you covered in Fit & Focused in 52 Weeks, a rider's mind and body training manual that will help you get mentally and physically set for show season. The guide is split into a 52-week program that gives the rider challenges in getting in shape and mindfulness. The fun, yet doable challenges are easy to follow and can be done by anyone, regardless of discipline or age. With plenty of photos and tips, this inspirational guide is like having Daniel Stewart training right there with you. BOTTOM LINE: Improve your fitness with this easy to follow guide. —Equine Journal


“Daniel Stewart's Fit and Focused in 52 is intended for all riders, from the goal-oriented showman to the recreational trail rider. All you need to possess in order to get something out of this book is a desire to improve as a horseman—mentally and physically. ” — Horse Nation

“Whether he’s offering tops to prepare for the show ring, or reminding readers to push on because ‘if it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you,’ Stewart charts a course for any rider to create a year of fitness, confidence and growth.” —New York Horse

"I'm going to cut right to the chase with this book review: this is a book that I wish I had had when I was riding more competitively, especially on an intercollegiate team. This is a book I wish I had had when I was coaching an intercollegiate team. The beautiful thing with rider mind-and-body fitness, of course, is that it’s never too late, so I’m really glad I have this book now." —Horse Nation



“The clever organization leads the reader through the program, one step at a time, so she never becomes overwhelmed or intimidated.”—USDF Connection

Trafalgar Square Books consistently releases outstanding equestrian material and Fit and Focused in 52: The Rider's Weekly Mind-and-Body Training Companion is no exception. Daniel Stewart, a seasoned professional in the art of training riders of all levels throughout the world, has created a fitness program that will improve horsemanship and improve one's health. It features a comprehensive workout plan for every week of the year. Some of the equestrian inspired exercises Coach Stewart introduces are canter crunches, bucket planks, and trot pole squats.

Before readers reach the exercise portion of the book they'll learn how to prepare themselves, body and mind, for the workout to come. Stewart helps to build core strength, stamina, and balance. The well-known coach insists that “only when your physical and mental abilities come together–when brain and body meet, and your frame and frame of mind become one–are you really able to try tap into your inner greatness”.

In addition to the weekly exercises and the proper instruction on how to execute those exercises, Fit and Focused in 52 is filled with facts to keep you focused, positive reinforcement notes, and tips for maintaining good posture throughout the fitness journey. This book is incredibly easy to use, organized very well, and has pictures to accompany each exercise. Descriptions of each exercise are well written and easy to understand.

The end goal of following the Fit and Focused in 52 program is to attain a full-on fitness that ensures improved performance on horseback, whatever you age, ability or discipline. —Cowgirl Magazine

“Daniel's rider–specific programs are a must for any serious equestrian athlete. His exercises are a valuable part of the Dartmouth Equestrian Team, and I highly recommend his mental and physical riding programs.” — Sally Batton, Dartmouth Equestrian Team Head Coach, Founder of the Athletic Equestrian League

From the Publisher