Gymnastic Exercises to Improve Your Hunter Rounds | Geoffrey Hesslink

Top hunter rider Geoffrey Hesslink demonstrates a combination of gymnastic exercises that he regularly works into his horses’ training routines to improve straightness, fitness and help build up strength in their hindquarters. He explains how these exercises can also help young or less experienced horses learn how to gauge their distances and can keep more seasoned horses sharp and improve their shape over fences. Geoffrey also notes how these gymnastics provide an opportunity for riders to focus on maintaining proper equitation without interfering with their horses. Geoffrey owns and operates Hesslink Williams LLC in Wellington, Florida, with his partner Brendan Williams. He is one of the leading hunter riders in the country and is a top trainer for juniors and amateurs in hunters, jumpers and equitation. Some of his most recent accolades include being named 2023 Pennsylvania National Horse Show Leading Hunter Rider, winning the 2023 $100,000 WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular at Traverse City Spring and placing second at the 2023 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, both aboard Drumroll. And in 2022, he piloted Mon Tresor to the win in the prestigious $100,000 USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.