Beth Glosten

I'm a doctor, and I ride! Hence, I'm the Riding Doctor. But I don't diagnose medical conditions in riders, I use my experience and background to clarify and understand riding posture and position issues that can interfere with your riding and can risk injury or strain.

My background laid the groundwork to write this book - a passionate dressage rider, retired physician, a rider plagued with back injuries, and a certified pilates instructor.

Working with many many clients, all horseback riders, helped me develop a system of evaluating rider function - my Rider Fundamentals. These Fundamentals form the framework for "The Riding Doctor." These Fundamentals include: Mental focus, Proper Posture, Body Control: Legs, Body Control: Arms, and Understand Movement (how your horse moves and you should move with him). In each section I describe the relevant rider anatomy and demonstrate this anatomy with clearly described exercises. I discuss why the fundamental is important to riding, and common challenges I see in riders related to the fundamental. Off-horse exercises are offered to help your awareness of your body issues, and to improve function so you return to the saddle with more tools in your tool box!

Through this book I hope to empower you to be the best rider you can be and to take seriously your role as the rider-athlete in the horse/rider pair. I also hope to help you ride in balance and in good health, now and for years to come!

Other info: I operate my RiderPilates LLC program in Redmond, Washington where I teach private and small group pilates exercise classes as well as rider position-focused riding lessons. I also travel to teach RiderPilates riding clinics. My web site: www.riderpilates.com

I own two horses: the promising mare Donner Girl ("DG") and the semiretired Grand Prix mare, Bluette. I have successfully competed in dressage from Training level through Grand Prix, and have earned my USDF bronze, silver, and gold medals. I am a graduate of the USDF "L" judge training program, with distinction.