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The Horse Rider Fitness Academy was founded by equestrian performance coach Karzan Hughes, whose work and travel have taken him to the World Equestrian Centre in Florida and dressage arenas across Europe. Having observed world-class preparation at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the Young Horse World Championships 2025 in Verden, Karzan brings a keen eye for detail — in both horse and rider.
He has spent years studying how elite riders prepare, move, and think, distilling that knowledge into a system that helps everyday riders achieve the same sense of harmony and confidence. His experiences extend beyond the arena too, coaching at Liberty Trails retreats at historic venues like Bidlake Manor, Bovey Castle, and Badminton.
Today, through the Horse Rider Fitness Academy, Karzan combines his global expertise with a deeply personal approach — helping riders around the world ride with balance, clarity, and connection.
The Academy is a place to improve your riding from the ground-up. The Rider Transformation System is our unique and proven, science-backed training system that guarantees measurable progress in your seat, posture, and mindset — helping riders of all levels develop balance, suppleness, and confidence on and off the horse.
Riders aged 18 to 70 have successfully improved their seat — whether you are a complete beginner returning after years off, or an elite professional competing at big tour. If you ride, this will work for you.
No. You’ll start at your current level. Every workout is scalable, progressive, and tailored to your needs so you can build strength, flexibility, and balance safely.
You can choose to train at home, a studio, or the gym. I always recommend some basic equipment that is inexpensive and easy to get hold of — resistance bands, a mat, light weights, or a Swiss ball. Everything else can be adapted to what you already have.
We will tailor your workouts to your own schedule and what you believe is achievable without feeling overwhelmed. The focus is always on rider specificity, quality of movement, and consistency of training. The focus is not quantity.
Not at all. The workouts are designed to develop a relaxed, balanced, functional, and elegant rider — improving your riding without adding unnecessary muscle mass.
No, you don’t need an active horse. Many riders join while between horses, after taking a break, waiting for young horses to mature, or during the off-season — they continue to develop their seat, position, and mindset so that they are fully prepared for riding again.
Absolutely. Many of our happiest riders simply want to ride comfortably, safely, and confidently at home or out on hacks. Your goals define your path.
Many riders feel noticeable improvements in 2–4 weeks, including better balance, a softer seat, and reduced tension. Full transformations occur over many months and years of training. Our longest serving members have been training with us for several years!
You’ll receive guided modifications for every exercise and personal feedback through Everfit. This is our expertise! We specialise in post-injury, long-term health conditions, and riders who want to improve their biomechanics.
You’ll get full access to your personalised programme inside Everfit, built using The Rider Transformation System™. Coaching includes regular feedback, seat audits, mindset support, and progress tracking — plus weekly coaching calls, Training Huddles, and chat support for ongoing guidance. It’s not a generic plan; it’s guided rider development built entirely around you and your goals.
This programme is built for riders, by riders. It is hybrid by design because the demands of riding require a hybrid approach to your fitness. Every exercise and workout is directly related to improving the biomechanics of the seat, leg, and body position in the saddle — combining sport science, rider psychology, and mindset coaching.
Yes — we have regular weekly coaching sessions dedicated to your mindset. Physical control also creates mental confidence. As your body and seat becomes more stable and responsive, your response to fear reduces. You'll notice yourself riding more positively with less tension, softer aids, and improved harmony with your horse.
This is completely normal! We teach you to recognise the patterns to overcome self-sabotage and improve your consistency. You’ll receive weekly check-ins, group accountability, and the opportunity to chat with me in the app. We train coachable riders who want to stay consistent and continuously develop their riding.
The Academy has helped hundreds of riders worldwide — from amateurs to professionals — achieve measurable changes in balance, posture, and mindset. And it’s backed by a progress guarantee.
If you don’t see measurable progress in 90 days, you’ll get 1:1 coaching until you do — or a full refund. Zero risk.
You can join monthly or annually. Annual members receive exclusive bonuses, including strategy calls, a Rider Nutrition Blueprint, and entry to win a 3-Day Liberty Trails Riding Retreat!
Of course. I’ll personally help you decide what is the best plan of action for your goals and riding. This is not a sales call. It's a conversation to gain clarity on what will get you to your goals
You’ll receive instant access, your onboarding questionnaire, and your first personalised Rider Transformation Programme within 7 days. You’ll also unlock the onboarding goal-setting session called the Rider Roadmap Strategy Call to plan your goals and identify the best starting point.
Zero Risk Guarantee – If you don’t see measurable progress in 90 days, I’ll keep coaching you 1:1 until you do — free.

Unlock your seat - develop your balance, position and mindset. Join the Horse Rider Fitness Academy.
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