Photo By: Stacy Lynne Equine Photography
An Interview with Eileen Keller of Aeon Dressage
Every person has a story to tell, a lesson to share, and the opportunity to have a lifelong impact on another. Whether you have had the chance to learn from someone personally, or read their words or experiences in an interview such as this, EPC is devoted to giving our members the chance to share their wisdom for those who need to hear it. Upon asking Eileen to participate in a member spotlight interview, she shared her reaction thinking to herself, “This is the only time for me to get my words out because no one cares about a rider who’s only ridden up to 4th level”.
It is time that we recognize that there is something to learn from every person in this industry, regardless of their achievements, wealth, or status. Everyone deserves their voice to be heard.
Introduction to the Equine Industry:
While other sports were not an option for Eileen due to medical circumstances, she pursued her passion of horses and began riding at 7 years old. She started off in the hunter jumper, 4H, and arab world, and got her first horse, a 4-year old Swedish Warmblood, at age 14. She insisted on training a young horse up the levels. Not only did she learn how to do so, but she also encountered many soundness and health difficulties along the way.
Services:
Upon earning her USDF Bronze Medal with Tori, graduating from college, and working her full time career, Eileen now provides myofascial release therapies, trains dressage students part-time, and offers judging services to the industry.
Strengthening Relationships:
When working with her students, Eileen focuses on establishing a healthy learning environment before training begins. She takes time to notice her client’s body language, tension, stiffness, and mental state each day. Her genuine care for her students allows her to foster a trusting and comforting relationship with her students, so that they can relax, laugh, and enjoy their ride. Eileen mentioned that “learning doesn’t happen in tension, it happens after relaxation”. She teaches students how to truly feel their horse under them, their positioning, and corrections that need to be made. Eileen wants her students to feel safe and confident whether they are riding in a lesson or on their own.
Eileen would also like to see more people ride their horses in a way that promotes their soundness and longevity. She has found it missing in a lot of barns. “They’re not feeling riders, they are mechanical riders. People try to use them as a device towards their goals instead of as a partnership that it is designed to be.”
Her goal, like every trainer’s goal should be, is to help build rider independence, courage, and resilience. Many things can be learned from Eileen’s approach – not just for riders, but life in general. Oftentimes we don’t realize how strong we are as individuals to handle difficult situations. Eileen has noticed some trainers in the industry make you, as a student, need them. She came across a trainer who made her feel that she couldn’t do “this or that” without his/her help. Eileen teaches because of her love for helping horses and riders in their relationship with one another. She doesn’t want to take their money, she wants every rider to be successful and independent. She believes every person deserves nice things without paying an arm and a leg.
Patience Throughout the Journey:
Eileen’s business name, “Aeon Dressage”, revolves around the idea that everything takes time. Eileen’s journey in the industry is a testament that it sometimes takes “aeons” to do anything in dressage. She found her patience tested many times through her journey and has come to realize that just because you have to give your horse a month off, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Patience is not easy, and your worry is valid, but all good things come with time. And who knows, maybe your horse will be like Eileen’s where time went by and all of a sudden the movements made sense! When riding, training, or competing isn’t possible, remember why you started and find that joy.
