It’s the time many of us have been eagerly awaiting since October… the start of the British Eventing 2026 season. With the fixtures list announced, ballot dates set, and the early events already open for entries, the clock is counting down until we’re trotting down the centre line once again.

Getting prepped for the season isn’t just about running through dressage tests or practicing some cross-country jumps. To perform at your very best, both you and your horse need to be in tip top condition. Eventing is a physically and mentally taxing sport, that requires focus, resilience, and stamina all at the same time. Getting yourself and your horse fit both to tackle an event, no matter what level you’re competing at, is your number one priority to feel confident and prepared to give it your best shot.

There are a few ways you can get yourself and your horse up to speed before the event seasons kicks off in full swing. Ensuring you are both fit and strong enough to hold up to the challenge is an important step not to overlook. Mental strength is also something that is becoming frequently more talked about in the industry, so dedicating some time to your mindset before you embark on the 2026 season will help to fortify your mind against the ups and downs of the sport and help you feel your most confident when you set off.

We’ve enlisted the help of some industry experts to give you the low-down on all things rider fitness and rider mindset, so you’ve got the tools to get the ball rolling and start preparing for what’s set to be a busy and exciting season ahead!

Horse Fitness

After a winter of bad weather your horse might be looking a little softer round the edges than he was at the end of last season, and their fitness may well have dropped after a much-needed holiday. It’s important to prioritise their fitness training before you take them out eventing to ensure they’re up to the task. When you run an unfit horse at an event, the likelihood of picking up an injury or having a nasty fall is greater, as they start to tire and stop using their body properly. There are many ways, both in the arena and out, that you can work on your horse’s fitness. We asked our PolyJumps sponsored event riders what they like to do to get their horse fighting fit.

Interval Training

Interval training is a popular way to get a horse’s heart rate up and improve their fitness. Bursts of fast work interspersed with shorter periods of rest allows them to get working anaerobically.

A common set would look a little like 3 minutes of fast paced canter work, followed by 2 minutes of walk. The idea is to prevent their heart rate from returning completely to resting before they do another set of fast work. The fitter your horse gets, the longer you can canter them for. Make sure to thoroughly warm up first! You can do this in an arena, but you can also do it out on a canter track, or even out hacking on good ground!

Hacking

Hacking out on different terrain can do fantastic things for a horse’s overall fitness and strength. Making the most of different surfaces and undulating ground builds strength and toughens their bodies up preparing them for the challenges in terrain out on a cross -country course. Hacking in wet ground prepares them to be resilient and adaptable in deep going, and road work will help to strengthen through controlled concussion whilst giving them a break from soft surfaces.

Water Treadmill

Over the recent years, water treadmills have become a popular addition to a horses’ fitness routines. Walking through water is a form of resistance training that builds strength, top line, and cardiovascular fitness, without hammering their bodies in the arena. Controlling the treadmill speed and water height controls the intensity of the work out, but a good workout can be obtained from even a low water height… just make sure you build them up slowly and consciously, just like you would under saddle.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who has access to lakes, rivers, streams, or the sea, walking through these bodies of water are just as beneficial for your horse, and very enriching for their brains too!

Rider Fitness

Eventing is the ultimate test of rider fitness, where the physical demands are spread over three disciplines. At the same time as you’re galloping across a country course, your reaction times are being tested as well as your ability to stay focused and in control. Whilst we know plenty about pole work exercises for horses’ strength, when it comes to rider fitness we wanted to ask an expert. Karzan Hughes is the founder and head coach at the Horse Rider Fitness Academy, here’s what he has to say about getting event season fit…

If you watch top event riders, a common factor in their success is rider self-carriage — your ability to stay balanced and organised. Self-carriage is more than “sitting up straight”, it’s your ability to remain consistent and stable on the horse which allows them to find balance and rhythm. This can make the difference between consistent dressage marks and going clear inside the time!

When any one of those pieces is missing, riders tend to default to gripping with the thighs, collapsing forward, or pulling for control. As you tire you might find you compensate through other parts of your body to stay secure. Preparing for the upcoming event season is about preparing your body to stay balanced, effective and organised across the different phases. Keep your training simple. Small, consistent work builds quickly and leads to a noticeable difference in the saddle. If this is something you need to work on, then here’s how to start getting event season fit:

1. Cardiovascular conditioning

When your heart rate stays high for longer, your fine motor control deteriorates and fatigue sets in. You’ll notice it’s more difficult to maintain a correct and effective position and this directly affects rhythm, lines, and decision-making. Incorporating moderate cardio into your weekly routine is extremely beneficial. You don’t need to hammer your body to feel the effects, low intensity exercise that you can comfortably hold a conversation throughout is perfect. You could try brisk walking or light cycling to start you off!

2. Strength training

Incorporating 2 – 3 x resistance training sessions per week is an excellent starting place to support your riding. It should be adapted to you and your riding volume, but a good starting point is:

• Two days per week: upper body day and lower body day
• Three days per week: push day (upper body), pull day (upper body), and leg day

3. Mobility and flexibility

Riders often show tightness through the hip flexors, lower back and hamstrings. Dynamic stretching uses controlled movement, such as leg swings, hip openers, spinal rotations. These are a great choice before riding or exercise because it prepares the body for movement. Joining a yoga, barre or Pilates studio can be an excellent way to improve your mobility. There are also plenty of resources online, like YouTube – a rider-focused routine at home can be a great place to begin.

Rider Mindset

Mindset plays a huge factor when it comes to eventing. The cross-country test can be mentally challenging and require resilience and confidence to tackle it. As we all know, horses come with lots of highs and lows, so having a strong mindset can help you weather the ups and downs and give you fortitude to go out there and ride your best, even if you’re a little nervous.

We wanted to get an insight from one of the best, so you have all the tools you need to prepare yourself for your first event of the season. Sean Roberts of Silvolutions is a performance and mindset coach who understands what it’s like to be a part of the equestrian community. Here are his top tips

• Prepare your mind like you prepare your horse. You wouldn’t skip fitness work for your horse, so don’t neglect your own mental prep. Spend a few minutes each day visualising calm, confident rounds.
• Rehearse realistic rounds, not perfect ones. Don’t imagine flawless perfection, instead, picture small wobbles handled well. Maybe it’s a deep stride corrected or a well-timed half-halt. Confidence grows from knowing you can deal with whatever happens and adjust.
• Set process goals, not outcome goals. Focus on what you can control such as your line, breathing, preparation, and decision-making. Don’t get hung up on results as goals.
• Stack small wins. Confidence is built on evidence. Use the weeks before your first event to collect proof: a good schooling session, a confident round at training height, sticking to your plan. Write these down and use them as your antidote to doubt.
• Normalise pre-season nerves. Nervous energy before your first event doesn’t mean you’re underprepared, it just means you care. Reframe nerves as readiness. The body often can’t tell the difference between anxiety and excitement!
• Breathe before you ride. Before you get on, slow your breathing. Longer exhales calm your nervous system and help you think clearly.
• Control the controllables. Ground conditions, start times, other competitors aren’t within your control. Your warm-up, preparation, and mindset are in your control. Keep your focus narrow and purposeful.
• Accept that ups and downs are normal. Eventing has highs that feel unbeatable and days that feel humbling. Resilience is shortening the time you spend dwelling on bad rounds. Even the professionals have good days and bad days!
• After each round, ask yourself:
  • What went well?
  • What did I learn?
  • What’s one small improvement for next time?
• Remember why you do it! Most of us juggle jobs, families, and responsibilities alongside eventing. You choose to event because you love it. You’re not chasing perfection; you’re building partnership and doing something brave.

Well, there you have it! An insight from some of the best of the business to get you and your horse ready to take the 2026 event season by storm. Make sure to get in touch with us if you need any more kit to help your training along the way, we’re the experts when it comes to polesjump wings, blocks, and everything in between!