Preparation is the key to success in every sport. One of the best ways to prepare to jump your course at a horse show is by walking it first.

Imagine a few days of outdoor living with your horse—exploring new terrain, catching up with riding companions, and enjoying life away from the usual routine. That’s the heart of horse camping, a favourite experience for many trail riders. While competitive riders may travel to events and stay overnight in their trailers while boarding horses in stalls, the approach taken by trail riders on camping trips is a different type of journey.

Rider fitness is fundamental to achieving a harmonious partnership with your horse and improving overall performance together. Regardless of the equestrian discipline, physical condition directly influences the rider’s ability to stay balanced in the saddle and communicate effectively with the horse.

Fifteen years ago, a friend asked if I’d house- and horse-sit for her at her farm in the Cowichan Valley. The property featured open turnout, natural forage, and the companionship of other horses. I accepted, unsure how it would affect my mare, Diva—who had been struggling. But the results were immediate and profound. We never left. Years later, we still live in the Cowichan Valley, and Diva continues to thrive.