The mind and body workout the It crowd love

The Hadid sisters, Edie Campbell and Taylor Hill are all obsessed with horse riding and with good reason. Fellow rider and beauty journalist Liz Hambleton reports on the emotional and physical benefits of this most rewarding outdoor pursuit...

HORSE RIDING IS having a major moment. Scroll through the Insta-feeds of any number of supermodels and you’ll see that traditional gym-going posts have been replaced by more of a four-legged approach to fitness. From one-day eventing (Edie Campbell) to show jumping (Bella and Gigi Hadid), it’s the sport capturing the hearts of the fashion elite. And it’s easy to see why.

‘ There are huge physical benefits to riding, but it’s the emotional benefits that can be transformational,’ says Sarah Phillips, CEO of The British Horse Society. ‘In a recent study more than 80% of people reported a significant shift in mood after being with, or riding horses,’ she says. Whether you’re hacking out (riding speak for taking the horse out of the arena), having a lesson, or simply grooming the horse, your mind will be focused on the task in hand and the stresses of the daily grind forgotten. Bella Hadid describes riding as ‘her yoga’.

If you thought riding was a sport of the wealthy, think again; lessons start from £20. And no matter their level in the sport, any rider will tell you that the real joy of riding is the relationship you build with the horse.

Being out in the fresh air only adds to the experience. As fitness expert Dalton Wong says, ‘It’s hard to be stressed outdoors.’ As for physical benefits, you’ll work muscles you never knew you had – say hello to firmer inner thighs and abs. ‘Riding requires core strength to stay balanced and upright on the horse. It might look like you’re just sitting there, but it’s the opposite,’ says Dalton. ‘It’s also great for the glutes, creating unrivalled shape and definition.’ You’ll feel the burn...