Wellington, FL (September 28, 2011) – Riders competing during the 2012 Dressage Season will have the chance to win the BEST Rider Award, which entitles the rider to a free training session focused on Balanced Equestrian Strength Training (BEST) with personal trainer Nick Tortora. As a Wellington-based personal trainer who focuses on equestrian strength training and whose clients include McLain Ward and Caroline Roffman, Tortora helps riders become stronger, gives them an edge up on the competition and helps each rider move to the next level.

Tortora’s background is in the mixed martial arts field and he currently competes on a world level in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. “I have been competing my entire life and I understand what it takes to succeed. I have developed a great program for equestrians that makes them stronger both mentally and physically,” he said. 

Winners of the BEST Award will receive a certificate for a half hour consultation and a one-hour training session with Tortora at his studio, The Training Experience. “I focus on functional movement, so whatever movement a rider is doing over and over on their horse, I help them make that movement stronger,” Tortora said, adding that he focuses on training stability on an unstable surface, with the horse being the unstable surface.

Tortora also helps riders develop their mind-body connection. “As a competitor, the mind-body connection is extremely important. I help riders get in control of their thoughts and that translates into becoming a stronger competitor,” he said. “Our mind is a tool for us and we should be controlling it, not letting it control us. Having a strong mind also translates into having self confidence; if we don’t believe in ourselves it’s hard to get others to believe in us.”

Tortora said he is looking forward to sponsoring the BEST Rider Award throughout the season and to meeting and working with each of the winners. “Throughout the season the BEST Rider Award will be given to a rider who appreciates how their body’s strength and balance helps them to be more effective riders,” he said.

For more information on BEST, or to schedule a Balanced Equestrian Strength Training session with Tortora, call 561-251-2724 or email him at trainwpb@gmail.com.