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I was wondering how important you thought a riders fitness is to their riding? Obviously we have to have some form of fitness if we ride, and do barn chores etc. But does anyone actually exercise in non-horsey way(gasp *horror*) to specifically improve their riding?
I thought I had a fairly good fitness since I had built up to riding twice a week(lessons with jumping and various schooling).

But with the green horse I am riding now, I have to lead him down a massive steep hill before riding/lunging him, as there is not flat ground up top, its all taken by stables. He constanly tests me and tries to spin home. Once(before I got wise) he got out of my grasp. He trotted two steps away and ate, so he is not herd bound.
By the time I get down the bottom I am usually tired (mentally and physically) and have to keep the sessiosn short or else he takes advantage of me being tired. So I am feeling quite ashamed and will try to start a fitness program to improve myself, to improve the horse.

Any tips/comments/ideas?
What do you do and think on this topic?

I know that people at the barn I work at work out some and the instructor has provided some fitness things to help people get better at riding. you may need to do some cardio to build up you stamina. you should also do some core training like for your abs and back that will help with your balance and just make you a stronger rider in general. you use a lot of you core muscle when you jump but also just riding in general. I know people have posted signs also in our barn offering classes on teaching yoga that will help improve your riding and some other talked about fitness geared toward riding so you may find one of those type of things in your area and they will really help you get in the right shape for riding.

Exercise other than just riding alone can help ALLOT. I know of a dressage instructor in Europe that refuses to teach anyone that is not working out regularly on there own. If you have access to a gym or any types of weights then use them. Running will help. or just sit ups and push ups to straighten your arms and core muscles. also doing squats or lounges to help your leg muscles.

Spend 7 days a week working with horses and you'll build up in no time, so will your horse. I don't mean you'll get all fit and thin and pretty like, but you'll improve your endurance. Only takes 30min a day to get a horse out, hand walk him around the ranch for 25min and put him away, but the physical and mental benefit is priceless.

Yes I think exercise is a very good idea!!! myself I swim ( in summer, & I live in Vegas so I get about 6 mon to swim), & stairs ( they work great, I do 15 min up & down or in place) & I use one of those things you squez (how ever you spell it, my check spelling not working) with your hand, it sits on the plam of your hand, that works great so you can hold on to him better with a better grip. you just have to keep doing it with him!! I'm not sure, but if you eat well befor you go out that helps a lot!!! Eat protien befor you go out & that will give you more strengh to work him. good luck

Obviously any exercise is going to have benefits. Running improves your wind and stamina, although it wears on your knees over time. Pilates, yoga, martial arts, etc are good for balance and flexibility. various calisthenic exercises (push-ups, sit-ups, and so on) help strengthen the muscles targeted by those exercises. Swimming is great for you because it combines all the aforementioned benefits into one form of exercise, and since your only resistance is water, it's easy on your joints. Personally, I really don't enjoy most non-horse-related exercise, but it's definitely good for you.

I applaud you for wanting to improve your fitness for your horse's sake; good luck!

Congratulations on wanting to be more attentive to your horse than your tiredness!
When I had back surgery 10 years ago my PT wanted me to be able to ride as soon as the doctor told me I could. She told me to get a ball, like the big ones you can get at Target, and use it to help get balance back. this helps your core, your balance, you can even use it for sit ups, dips, and leg stuff (squeezing it between your knees). the stairs thing is great too. maybe go to the barn and try running up the hill you lead your horse down, without him a couple times a day.
Cardio is great for stamina. when I was in high school, I used to ride my bike to the barn and ride for three hours then to volleyball practice, then back to the barn and ride another three or four hours and back on the bike to go home. I rode for three to 7 hours a day, along with the 3 miles I rode my bike, and the 4 hours I spent at vb practice. WOW, I wish I was in that kind of shape now!
Good Luck.

ABSOLUTELY it is important. I have personally experienced the difference and after working out at a gym lifting weights for 3-4 months, I was so much more balanced, and was strong enough to school intensely for 45 mins or more without getting winded or tired. before the gym I would get winded while canter-schooling this big horse.

Horseback riding only uses certain muscles and getting fit in all muscle groups makes a huge difference for me.