“It’s movement of the body that enables you to let go of stress and step out of your own way. The questions and conerns come from your mind. The answers come from your body.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
Welcome to Book Club!
Today I’m bringing you an inspiring read that was released this past March, 2025. For those who want to be fitter to become a better rider, this one is for you. I present you with Stable Core Training: A New Approach to Rider Alignment, Centering, Grounding, and Positive Tensions for Elite Performance in the Saddle by Joyce Kramer.
You can get your copy directly here at Trafalgar Square books!
Joyce is a personal trainer and riding coach with experience spanning more than 50 years. Over the years she’s developed her own Stable Core Training program and her students include Grand Prix dressage riders and top level eventers. She often refers back to Sally Swift’s Centered Riding which, by the way, is seeing it’s 40th anniversary this year and was published by none other than Trafalgar Square Books! Joyce manages to refer to Sally’s work but then expend it into something all of her own.
“I have discovered that the human body adapts its best and most permanent postures through embodied imagery, and not through the study on anatomy and biomechanics.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
Within the first quarter of the book I was moved to reach out to Joyce and ask about clinics. I want to work with this woman! Alas she doesn’t travel as far as we are located but I may someday take a trip to her (Less than 3 hours away). I was so excited and I wanted not only the instruction from the book but in person instruction. Her knowledge and approach to fitness are not quite like what I’ve seen before…and I want more!
After I reached out I realized I do still need to calm down and keep reading.
The book is fascinating. As a previous gym rat I felt seen when she said the gym rats weren’t her strongest riders. It’s not that I am happy to be stiff but I’m happy that it’s not unusual. I felt defeated when I would work out rigorously to find my riding got WORSE.
“And as I began integrating this knowledge in my riding instruction, it struck me that the ‘gym rats’ were not my strongest riders.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
The next thing I did was try to change WHAT types of workouts I did. But I loved the practice less and less. Lately I am doing my best to keep my head above water but if and when I work out I typically take it easy. Joyce’s book might be able to help me develop a routine that actually motivates me and helps me in the saddle.
THAT is the key that I’ve been missing.
“I find that often, trying to adhere to an anatomical or biomechanical ideal negatively affects the rider’s suppleness, timing, and coordination. Of course, that weakens the horse’s ability to understand the rider’s intent as well as her aids.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
Stable Core Training is broken down into easy-to-understand sections based of the goal of each exercise. We begin with Part 1…The foundation of riding well. The eight chapters within this first section larger and important concepts; alignment, being grounded, positive tension, breathing, proprioception, vision, movement, and posture. All of these are the basis of what we all NEED in order to ride well. In Part 2 we explore our rider position and how to strengthen key areas. The section is broken down into 12 easy to follow chapters that explore the parts of the body. We explore fluidity, fascial connections, muscle activation, tension, pelvis, ribs, head/neck, shoulders/arms/hands, feet/ankles/legs, fluid hips, inner and outer fitness, and working with humans and horses. Part 3 focuses on the deep core and the final chapters begin to wrap the book up while giving us options for our next steps.
“There are times when your horse is more aware of your internal status than you are. Horses are creatures of energy and they are particularly skilled at reading the energy of people, even subtle energy such as the energy of intent. “
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
What I love about this book is the openness and freedom of the exercises. Nowhere does Joyce design a workout program. How could she? We are all different individuals and have different and unique abilities. My strengths are not your strengths. Your weaknesses are not my weaknesses.
In order to make the best possible use of this book I recommend that you read it front to back, then truly analyze yourself and your riding. Feel free to bring someone in like your trainer who really knows you and can be honest with you. What areas do you feel weak on? Design your program with more focus on developing your weaker areas. Return back every couple of months and find out what has changed. Don’t keep your routine static.
“Your outer fitness will only come into order when your inner fitness has done so as well. Accept yourself, including your past failures. Choose to nourish and embrace the true self you are becoming.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
What I find most difficult is my own self efficacy. I become immensely inspired by these types of books but once I put it down I get swept away in a new project instead of sitting down and settling in with what I have learned. In essence I still need someone to get after me and kick my butt because I always create new excuses!
Final Word:
I really enjoyed Stable Core Training by Joyce Kramer. It is educational, fun, and inspiring. I found myself performing each exercise AS I READ. As someone who is always on the pursuit of self-improvement, I like having a very specific thing to do that I know will help me in the saddle. I have done martial arts, HIIT training, kickboxing, pilates, yoga, and more. At one point I had even created an equestrian fitness program of my own but failed to actually launch it (It amounted to 1 trial class with a couple of my friends).
Joyce’s approach is unique, creative, and effective. It is anything but boring and it is neither canned nor generic. I love that she ties each exercise to a benefit directly tied to riding. Not many people or exercises out there truly do this.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who knows that they could ride better if they improved certain aspects of their fitness. People who are self-aware and self-motivated to do the work. The book is a guide, but you need to use the content to develop the right program for your individual needs. Maybe your trainer can help you point out your trouble areas. Legs? Hips?
I know I can be pulled in a million directions, but this book has remained in my eyeline for months. I am planning to finally find some time over the winter to truly design a plan that works with my routine and helps me become a better rider for Stanley.
“The sport of riding is a thrilling dance between knowing and feeling. You know riding theory from the outside in, and ideally, you feel your riding practice from the inside out.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
I also want to add that I buy most of my horse books from Trafalgar Square Books. You can find your copy through my affiliate link here, it’ll let TSB know I sent you!
Published by Trafalgar Square books, North Pomfret, VT
If you have any questions, comments, or would like further information, please contact:
contact@trafalgarbooks.com / (802) 356 6706
The Green Horseman 
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