JE PTs Athlete Profiles: Casey Stickland (Dressage)

Sunday, 1 January 2012

This is the first in a series of James Ellis Personal Training “Athlete Profiles”. Some of my clients are professional or semi-professional sports people who have very specific goals to achieve – in some cases training on a DAILY basis in their chosen field and sacrificing much to chase their dreams. It makes sense for sportspeople particularly to look for a personal trainer / strength coach to help focus on certain strength or fitness qualities.
First up is Casey Stickland, 18, an international level Dressage rider who is looking to compete in the Young Rider European Championships this year (2012) and, beyond that in the Olympics.

Here is a brief video of one of our recent training sessions in which we worked on the strength endurance of Casey’s Legs and Core:

Here is some brief background on Casey:

Casey in Addington

Originally from Australia, Casey began her Dressage dream in 2007 as a spectator at the European Junior and Young Rider Championships, at age 13. She was immediately inspired to achieve a high standard of riding, having ridden show ponies since the age of 6. Casey spent the next few years travelling to Germany, England, Australia and back again taking her German riding exams in Dressage and learning from the very best. In January 2009, 2 of her own horses competed in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival for the British team and this pushed Casey further to compete at this high level. After achieving her BHS Stage 1 exam in late 2009, she made the final decision to move to the UK. Back and forth again from Germany, along with the help of Olympic level coaches she achieved her German level 3 qualification and BHS Stage 2, along with jumping and cross country experience. Casey qualified for the Summer Regionals next, and placed 8th. 2011 was a year of opportunity for Casey, she competed in her first season of Premier Leagues and was invited to two international competitions representing Great Britain. Notably during this time Casey was undertaking her A-levels at Hartpury college – no mean feat! In Summer 2011, Casey completed her BHS Stage 3 whilst preparing for the Regional Championships with two horses and most recently made her debut at PSG level with high scores and top placings. She has recently decided to devote herself full time to Dressage and has big plans for the future – she is most certainly a rising star in the UK Dressage world!

Casey with Julius

For a more personal insight, I asked Casey about her riding and training:

JE PT: Firstly, its probably a little unusual for anyone to associate Dressage with Strength and Conditioning. Can you explain what was the idea behind looking for a Personal Trainer in Cheltenham?

CS: I first began to notice just how much body control and core strength you needed to ride dressage when I acquired my international horse, who is an absolute powerhouse to ride. Because I am short I don’t have the advantage of long legs to help control the horse, so my core is extremely important in getting him to do the movements I ask of him. When competing (especially at internationals) we have to make it through a 30-45 minute warm up during which you and the horse are tiring slightly. Then we go into the dressage test and have to perform at our absolute best for five minutes. As riders we make sure our horses are fit enough to not get too tired in the warm up so they last until the test, however I was noticing my own muscles fatiguing far too soon and therefore decreasing my concentration in the test. By working with a personal trainer I can strengthen the right muscles for riding and increase my level of fitness, as riders are athletes too, as well as their horses, and need optimum fitness levels to perform their best.

JE PT: How did you hear about me and what were your first impressions of your Coach?

CS: I was referred by another experienced PT who lived too far away from me. He said you were probably the best I would find in the area and are extremely passionate! My first impressions confirmed what he said and I was very impressed by your interest in what I wanted out of our sessions, your obvious high level of knowledge in health and fitness and your professionalism.

JE PT: Since working on Strength and Conditioning in Cheltenham what have you noticed as far as improvements to your riding, energy levels, body composition etc? Also What changes have you made to your nutrition?

CS: My core is twice as strong and I no longer find it difficult to isolate my upper body so it stays upright and strong while my seat and legs are moving and giving signals to the horse. My muscle endurance has also improved and I can withstand long periods of time on a horse without tiring. I am definitely looking more toned which is always a nice bonus to fitness training! Your body gets used to riding horses all the time so doesn’t do much in the way of body composition, therefore we have been doing a bit of body composition work as horse riding definitely has a visual factor to it. Breeches aren’t the most flattering attire, especially in competitions where you have to wear white ones!

JE PT: What are your plans for the coming year as far as your riding?

CS: This year I am absolutely 100% focused on making it to the European Championships in July. This will require me to do as many Premier Leagues as possible in the next six months, travel to the continent and compete at internationals in France and Holland, and I’m even playing with some plans to head over to my trainer in Germany for a couple of months with my horse before the major competitions start. Once the Europeans come and go I will have my fingers crossed for selection to go to the Young Rider World Cup in Frankfurt in December 2012. I have sacrificed a lot to achieve my goals (home-schooling instead of college, suffering relationships!) but I know at the end it will all be worth it.

JE PT: You seem like a highly motivated and laser focused young athlete. What advice could you give to other young athletes with a dressage dream (or any sporting goal)?

CS: I would like to think so, thanks! The hardest thing with any sport is the pressure that is put on young athletes to perform when they don’t have the experience, knowledge or maturity of an adult. On the days that I feel like I’m not getting anywhere and my motivation is low, I just think of yesterday, last week, and last year. I am better today when I was then because I have had good and bad experiences to learn from. Also having the support of family/friends/trainers is extremely important, as even though dressage is an individual sport it definitely takes a team to achieve.

JE PT: So Casey, it sounds like you certainly have your finger on the pulse – where can people find out more about you and your journey to the top of the dressage world?

CS: http://teendressagedream.com is a blog I have been writing since the month I left home in Australia to live here for the first time in 2009 with which I hope to motivate other young riders to achieve their dream. My personal website is www.caseysticklanddressage.com and I’m also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Casey-Stickland/129984313746042

JE PT: Finally, given your current healthy diet (I hope) – please tell us what is your ideal “cheat” meal? It’s always nice to know that athletes are human too and i’m sure it will make our readers feel a bit more normal!

CS: Ooo this is going to make me hungry… Friday night is ‘TGI Fridays night’ with my friends. I get my red meat hit for the week with a steak with Jack Daniels sauce, veg and cheesy mash. Sharing a cheeky oreo ice cream sundae for dessert finishes it off perfectly!

JE PT: Thanks for your time Casey and best of luck for 2012!

James Ellis – Personal Trainer & Strength Coach in Cheltenham/Gloucester.
www.jamesellispt.com www.jepersonaltrainercheltenham.co.uk

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