Pilates: Mari's secret weapon

As part of the first digital training special edition of the BD Magazine, read about the positive impact that Pilates had on Paralympic medallist and British team star Mari Durward-Akhurst. 

“Six weeks before the Paralympics, I made a decision that would quietly transform my riding. I started reformer Pilates with Sarah Claridge at Meadow Physio and Pilates. 
 
At the time, it felt like a risk. With the clock already ticking down, introducing something new into an already intense training schedule wasn’t the obvious choice. But living and riding with ataxia means that control, balance, and coordination are constant challenges.  
 
I knew that if I could find even a small improvement in those areas, it could make a meaningful difference in the arena. 
 
What I didn’t expect was just how significant that difference would be. 
Reformer Pilates is not easy. In fact, it’s some of the hardest work I’ve ever done. Every session demanded focus, precision, and a level of body awareness that doesn’t come naturally when you’re dealing with ataxia. There were moments of frustration, moments where progress felt slow, and moments where I questioned whether it would pay off in time. But it did. 
 
Week by week, I began to feel subtle changes. My core strength improved, but more importantly, so did my stability. I became more aware of how I was sitting, how I was influencing the horse, and how small adjustments in my body could create clearer communication. 
 
By the time I arrived at the Paralympics, something had shifted. 
 
In the arena, I felt more secure in the saddle, particularly on a big moving horse with a huge walk.  
 
Where previously I might have struggled to maintain consistency in my position, I now felt more aligned and in control. That stability allowed me to ride more effectively, to support the horse rather than react to the movement. 
 
The feedback reflected that change. People watching from the sidelines commented on the improvement in my position; more balanced, more harmonious, and better able to cope with the demands of big powerful movement. For any rider, that kind of feedback is invaluable. For me, it was confirmation that the hard work was translating into real results where it mattered most. 
 
And the ultimate result? A Paralympic bronze medal. 
 
Of course, Pilates wasn’t the only factor in that achievement. Success at that level is always the result of a huge team effort, years of training, and an incredible partnership with the horse. But without question, those six weeks of reformer Pilates played a crucial role in helping me perform at my best. 
 
It’s important to be honest about the process: it was tough. Reformer Pilates pushed me physically and mentally in ways I hadn’t anticipated. But it was also absolutely worth it. 
 
For riders; particularly those managing conditions like ataxia, the benefits go far beyond strength. It’s about control, awareness, and the ability to sit in balance with the horse, even when the movement underneath you is big, powerful, and unpredictable. 
 
Looking back, starting reformer Pilates so close to the Paralympics might have seemed like a gamble. In reality, it became one of the most valuable tools in my preparation. 
 
Sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come from stepping slightly outside your comfort zone and being willing to put in the hard work when it counts the most."