Winter work pays off

A WINTER of physical strengthening for horse and rider paid off for Alex Postolowsky and Iden Van De Rosweide with an intermediate victory.

- By PIPPA ROOME

She's always been quite weak - she's got a massive engine, but is almost hypermobile and can get tight as she has so much movement,” said Alex. “I have a dry treadmill at home and she's been going on that all winter. It's helped to build her up more evenly so she's much straighter.

“She finds it stressful being in the wrong balance and hates to think she's made a mistake, so each area improves the other mentally and physically. She's really built up in her second thigh area and is capable of keeping her balance better.”

Alex bought the now 12-year-old mare locally as a youngster - “she was incredibly talented but was being very difficult and wasn't expensive” - and Elizabeth Raybone, Will Russell and Sara Farmer are now on her ownership sheet along with her rider.

“They absolutely adore her and there's no pressure from them,” said Alex.

The rider herself has been working with strength and conditioning coach Steph Brumpton twice a week, as well as doing exercises at home.