Discover Your Best Self: Unlock the Missing Link for Top Performance

Seat Instruction and Mental Health Care

Belgian youth team rider Antonia Arl has returned to the international horse world with her company "Antonia Moves" which takes riders on a journey to unlock their talent and best performance on a horse.

Antonia Arl

The 25-year old Antonia Arl is a seasoned dressage rider, having been a winning competitor on the international dressage youth scene from 2012 till 2017. She represented Belgium at the 2013 European Pony Championships and 2015 European Junior Riders Championships. She was the 2014 Belgian Pony Champion and has competed 11 different horses on international level.

Coming from a well-known horsey family with father Jochen a top horse scout and sister Lavinia a former Belgian youth team rider and champion as well, Antonia has lived and breathed horses all her life. She was the first European youth rider to compete and win at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida, and rode her first national Grand Prix test at the age of 15.

The Missing Link

After graduating magna cum laude at the EU Business School in Barcelona and obtaining a Bachelor Degree in Business management at the University of Derby, Antonia felt the pull of horses on her heart and reflected deeply on her time in the saddle.

At the 2017 Global Dressage Festival Youth
Championships in Wellington, florida

"I remember training so many horses in a day and feeling how tight my body was, how blocked my hips were, and how stress affected my vibe at competitions," she reminisced. "I felt I never had time for myself and was just riding against the clock, focusing fully on what the horses needed. I disregarded my own physical and mental needs, essential for the partnership between rider and horse."

She realised what the missing link was many athletes have not yet understood: a mindfulness and control to have been more adaptable to their horses and resilient to competition stress.

"I tried a yoga class one day and discovered the potential of yoga postures and mindfulness for my performance riding," Antonia reminisced. "Yoga is a beautiful practise where it is not just about flexibility, but about finding balance in life."

The ever-ambitious Antonia wanted to learn from the best and there is only one place in the world where she could become the master she aspires to be: in India. She travelled to Goa, where roots of yoga lie, and became an officially certified yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance, which is recognised worldwide.

The Problem Every Rider Faces

International rider and certified yoga teacher

Antonia's journey to come of age as a person, rider, and athlete is not unique one; it is a bumpy journey many riders experience. Tightness, stress, a blocked body, the worrying feeling of being trapped on a treadmill of responsibility leading to competition burnout are often seen in the horse world, but there is a century-old solution for these struggles.

Antonia's dive into yoga and personal transformation as a result inspired riders to reach out to her seeking assistance and help.

"Portuguese team rider Maria Amaral approached me asking how yoga could improve her posture and seat for better balance and elegance in the saddle," Antonia explained. "We particularly worked on her muscle tightness in her legs which comes from too much contraction while giving aids. Still, it goes beyond the physical. She began to sit more relaxed by also achieving peace of mind through good breath work. This is essential too."

Inspiring Riders on Their Health Journey

Since teaching private yoga classes online, Antonia has helped several international dressage riders find that missing element in their career. She has worked with her sister Lavinia Arl, Hungarian team rider Mate Garai and Australian Olympian Lyndal Oatley, amongst others.

Antonia bringing harmony from the mat to the saddle

“Antonia is a championship rider herself," said Australian Olympian Lyndal Oatley. "She understands the rider’s body; all its strengths and weaknesses, and she also understands our schedules, which makes her online guidance so effective.”

Antonia firmly believes yoga is not just a hobby or a luxury, but an essential part of a happy, successful life.

The Supple Dressage Rider

With her company "Antonia Moves" Arl has found her mission in life: offering tailored online yoga classes to provide holistic solutions for demanding riders who wants to be the best version of themselves.

Her classes are designed specifically for riders who can remain in the comfort of their home when they tackle their individual challenges: on a physical level in their hips for improved balance and posture and mentally by growing focus and determination while developing a relaxed mind.

She launched "The Supple Dressage Rider," a 6-week method that will take dressage riders from stiff to supple in the saddle.

"I always start with a free assessment of the rider's current condition, their flexibility and work points before fully tailoring a plan to their needs and preferences," said Antonia. "On my social media I share daily tips and tricks which are part of my programme. My classes are for anyone ready to improve as a rider. There is no need to be extremely flexible from the start. I systematically guide riders to reach their full potential."

Keys to Your Solution

Book your Free Assessment here or reach out to Antonia
Discover Antonia's 6-Week Method on her official website: www.antoniamoves.com
Explore Antonia Moves on Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - YouTube