Author of "Centered Self, Centered Horse"
Erica K. Frei
Inspired by a strong obsession with horses from her earliest memories, Erica began riding at the age of 9 when she simultaneously volunteered at a handicapped riding facility. Her love for the horse has catapulted her through a myriad of experiences that spans most riding disciplines. Despite her age, she has accumulated a level of wisdom and inherent communication with the horse on par with those many times her age.
In no particular order, some of Erica's background with horses includes:
- "Natural Horsemanship" foundation.
- German & French Classical Dressage Education
- Year-long working student/instructor training participant with Craig P. Stevens, Snohomish, WA.
- Successful winnings in competition at national, regional and open shows in english, western and speed events.
- Bred Warmblood/Bashkir Curly crosses from 1999-2004, turning her attention to training and instruction.
- "Ask A Trainer" panelist for an online gaited horse community from 2000-2004.
- ICHO 2001 AGM Foal Trick Training Demonstration at age 16.
- ICHO Sport Horse Association Liaison - 2002.
She has also had a history riding horses in parades, drill team, mounted orienteering, distance trail riding, team penning, breed demonstrations and more...
Outside of the Arena
Erica has a large number of interests outside of horses as well, and many of which have helped launch a greater amount of self-awareness in her riding, training and instructing. A board certified Massage Therapist, Erica works regularly in her field. She has recently become trained in Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) and strives to implement it into her everyday work. Erica also co-hosts women's groups and periodic book clubs with mom, and life coach, Cheryl.
Intrigued by the ability to better promote her breeding program when it was still running, Erica became a self-taught website designer and constantly works to hone her graphic design skills as well. And of recent, Erica has worked to pursue her interest in artistic modeling and acting. Watch for her in the indie production "Speak No Evil" in May 2008!
Present
Today you'll find Erica working hard at refining her self-awareness and ability to harmonize on a level with the horse that is devoid of any physical force. She has become keenly aware of the need for understanding and compassion to the horse's mind and is putting her part in by organizing classes and workshops that focus on the development of the rider. She has also just published her first book, "Centered Self, Centered Horse," which deals with much of the mental aspect of riding.
Erica is frequently found singing to her horses as she works them in hand, on the lunge and under saddle. She has a way of tuning out all distractions and making every interaction with the horse as though in a place of complete solitude. Arena work does not make up her entire life however, and she thoroughly enjoys regular 25 mile trail rides when the weather and footing permit in the midwest.
She has trained horses to perform movements only dreamed of by aspiring Olympic riders, and more. With two horses trained to perform a number of tricks as well, her ability to coax unusual movements out of her horses without the use of force is testament to her communication skills. She does not teach tricks to horses as a rule, rather an exception, and believes that it is only when the basic foundation is developed in the horse that any deviation from it should even be considered.
Simplicity, Simplicity, Simplicity
With the thought that force is not a tool or possibility in training the horse, one will find Erica's tack room devoid of many of the common gimmicks and training devices often seen in the barn. Her tools of choice include saddle, bridle and riding whip. For lunging a simple cotton lunge rope, lunge whip and correctly fitted lunge caveson. It is never the tools that teach, rather the hand holding onto them. She has a strong commitment to the idea that less is more and that subtleties are always better understood than overtly exagerrated statements.
Both her teaching and training run along common threads. The idea that fun is a necessary element to the success of any relationship, Erica tries to teach this through example to her students, both horse and human. Her teaching style is serious, subtle and full of laughter. Noted for her upbeat personality, and sometimes quirky humor, Erica has a way that puts her students, friends, colleagues, and horses at ease while in her company.
