Show season is go time. Long days at the barn, endless hauling, tight show schedules… and suddenly your regular training routine is out the window.

If you’ve ever found yourself saying,

“I’ll just get back to the gym after the season ends…” you’re not alone.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need a full gym to stay strong. With a little intention and a few basic tools, you can keep your strength, stability, and confidence in the saddle — even while living out of a tack room or horse trailer.

Let’s break it down.

💡 Why Strength Still Matters Mid-Season💡
Most riders feel like by the time the show season comes around- they don't need to be strength training anymore! But... to keep those gains, you need to keep training in-season. Now I get that you're probably runnning on fumes at the end of the day and feeling more fatigued than usual - which is why it's important that your strength training program is scaled appropriately to address that. Basically you want to be working out, but maybe not at your highest volume. 

If you stop strength training completely during the busy months, you’ll start to lose the very qualities that help you:

-Stay upright and centered after multiple rounds
-Maintain energy and focus late in the weekend
-Avoid nagging areas of pain
-Support your horse’s movement with clarity and control

🏋️‍♀️ 5 Show-Season Strength Tips (No Gym Required) 🏋️‍♀️

1. Keep It Short and Focused
You don’t need an hour.
Aim for 20–30 minutes, 2–3x/week of intentional movement.

Pick 4–5 exercises that hit your big rocks:
✅ Core stability
✅ Squat Pattern
✅ Hinge Pattern
✅ Single-leg control
✅Push/Pull

2. Travel-Friendly Tools Go a Long Way
Here’s what I recommend for your tack trunk:

-Mini bands (great for glute activation and posture work)

-Long loop resistance band (for rows and presses)

-A yoga mat or saddle pad!

That’s it. You can do a ton with just bodyweight and a few smart tools.

 
3. Make It Rider-Specific

Generic HIIT circuits won’t cut it.
Instead, choose movements that reinforce what your body actually needs to ride well and counters areas that will become overworked/fatigued.

Just a few examples:

Glute bridges → Supports pelvic position
Pallof presses → Trains anti-rotation core strength
Band rows or face pulls → Keeps shoulders and posture in check
Split squats → Builds control in your lower half

4. Warm Up with Purpose
Your warm-up = your movement prep.
5–7 minutes of dynamic work before riding or training can make a massive difference in:  

-Saddle Feel/Proprioception
-Joint and Tissue Prep
-Mental Readiness

Some examples: cat-cow, hip circles, & arm sweeps.

5. Recovery Is Part of the Plan

This isn’t the season to grind yourself down.
Instead, treat your strength work as a way to support your riding, not drain you.

Use it to stay balanced, not broken.

Add in a few minutes of:

• Foam rolling or banded stretching

• Diaphragmatic breathing post-ride

• Light movement on rest days (like a walk or mobility circuit)

👊 The Bottom Line👊

Your body is your most important piece of tack.
Even when you're off your normal routine, you can still train with purpose.

Stick to the basics. Stay consistent. And don’t underestimate what 20 minutes can do for your ride.

🐴 Want the Workouts Done for You?🐴

The Resilient Rider: Essentials includes gym and minimal-equipment options so you can train no matter where the season takes you.

💻 Delivered in an easy-to-use app
📆 Updated every 4 weeks
👊 Built for real riders with real schedules

Check it out HERE