5 Dance Tips that Will Improve Your Horseback Riding

Do riding and dancing go hand in hand? I think so! Lately, I’ve discovered 5 dance tips that will improve your horseback riding. 

My husband and I are swing dancers. That was one of our main connection points at the beginning of our relationship, and it still is. In fact, on our second date, we met at his local dance studio and danced the night away. This was over five years ago, but I still remember he was wearing a gray T-shirt that said “PAIX” on it and I had on a black and white gingham shirt with cropped jeans (kinda retro looking). We danced Balboa when an up-tempo song came on. He pulled me into Balboa position and I thought, “Hmmm. . . I could get used to this!”

In case you’re not familiar with swing dance genre of Balboa, it’s a smooth and very close 8-count dance where you literally side hug your partner. Dancing With the Stars needs to feature it one season because it is gorgeous and truly an American dance (originating on Balboa Island in Newport Beach, California). I can give you a history lesson on that one later. 🙂

Last weekend we attended a 3-day dance workshop called the California Balboa Classic. About 400 people from all over the United States (and a few from other countries) descended on Pasadena, California to learn from elite Balboa teachers (Imagine a cooking lesson from Julia Child, riding lesson from George Morris, or tennis lesson from Roger Federer!).

I was amazed at the overlap of dancing and riding principles. Many of the tidbits that I heard from the dance teachers were exact lines I have heard from various horse trainers and clinicians over the years!

And because of that, I am suggesting that riders would benefit from a little social dancing–Balboa style!

1. Look through your turns. I will admit I need this one on the dance floor. I envy those girls who took ballet as kids.  They spin effortlessly like Whirling Dervishes. It takes a little bit more for this dancer who came late to the game. Although, those pubescent ballerinas probably didn’t get to borrow their best friend’s neighbors ponies and ride them all over the neighborhood by themselves like I did. Looking through your turns and keeping your eyes on what’s ahead is essential in dancing, not just riding!

2. Engage your core. In the dead of a Chicago winter some time ago, my dressage trainer bragged flamboyantly, that if I continued taking lessons with him, I wouldn’t have to go the gym to get my body beach-bikini-ready. (Yes, please!) He asserted all the work on my core from the saddle would not just be good for my horse. Dancing requires core engagement, just like riding does.  (He moved to another state rather abruptly, hence my beach-bikini-body did not emerge that summer. )

3. Keep tall, beautiful posture. At one point during the weekend, a dance instructor had us practice Balboa footwork while placing one arm behind our back, thereby requiring us to hold an overly correct posture. My horse trainer Joanne used to make me do that! Or, even better: sometimes she’d have me ride with a crop shoved through the crook of both elbows, behind my back. Tall and beautiful is elegant in the saddle and on the dance floor.

4. From your waist up, be relaxed and mostly still; the “work” is done from the waist down. During one Balboa session the instructor told us to carry around two imaginary glasses of water while we practiced our footwork. The goal was to be as smooth as possible and not spill any of the pretend water. This drill reminded me of the old egg and spoon race I competed in in 4-H! If you had been there to see 40 of us with arms extended holding pretend glasses taking minute dance steps and moving around the room, you would have thought we were crazy! Or very devoted to dancing.

5. Remember to breathe. Another Balboa instructor said,“We tend to hold our breath when we try something scary. Breathe out.” She was saying this to pump us up to try a new move. I actually smirked a little thinking about dancing being scary. It’s not. Embarrassing, yes. Scary, no. Intimidating, sometimes. But breathing is good for everything. Point well taken. I remember singing softly to DC as we competed in the show ring. I knew if I sang, I’d have to keep breathing and it would help me not be as tense.

In our final session of the weekend, Nick Williams (think Fred Astaire of this generation) reminded us,  “Take care of your partner. Have fun. Take care of your partner. Smile. Take care of your partner. Breathe.”

Nick intended this to be dance advice, but I thought it translated perfectly to riding: take care of your equine partner. Breathe.

About five years ago my Florida sister was at a local tournament watching her daughter/my niece Jamie play tennis. A bystander complimented my sis on Jamie’s strong serve and great shots. It turned out the woman was retired tennis great Chris Everett herself! My sister said that my niece also played volleyball and basketball and would probably be an even better tennis player if she focused solely on tennis. Everett responded that she thought it was in kids’ best interest to try all kind of different sports and activities–that it made kids better athletes.

Is it possible that your riding would improve by trying a new activity such as dancing? There’s only one way to find out.

For your inspiration: Here is a video of Laura and Jeremy dancing Balboa. They are two instructors I’ve had the privilege of taking lessons from. Laura coached me prior to my wedding dance–taught me how to make nice swivels for lindyhop. They are lovely dancers and gifted teachers too. Enjoy!

By the way, I have the exact same shoes that Laura is wearing in this video. Wish my shoes could make me move like her shoes do!

What is one other non-horse related activity you could try this year that might make you not only a more well-rounded person, but better rider?

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