Emily Keene brings 33 years of experience to training horses; 23 of those dedicated to Dressage. A USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist with multiple State and Regional championships, Emily specializes in lightness, confidence, and self-carriage for horse and rider. She believes that self-carriage is physical, mental, and emotional for both parties. She does not use artificial equipment or force of any kind in her training, her goal is to have horses that willingly choose to participate. Emily puts the happiness and wellbeing of the horse as the priority.
Emily teaches with a sensitive and highly tuned eye towards biomechanics, very clear communication, compassion, and mindfulness. Students learn the physical, theoretical and interpersonal skills required in a dressage rider.
She advocates natural and sensitive management, including social and turnout time, holistic nutrition, precise saddle fit, bodywork, and natural hoof care for our equine partners.
Emily started training horses at age 12 when her mentor introduced her to Natural Horsemanship and Tellington Jones methods. She taught and trained English, Western, Jumping, Dressage, and Competitive Trail Riding/Endurance Riding before deciding to focus on Dressage, and her appreciation for all disciplines and breeds continues today.
“When I saw a demo of a Schleese saddle in 1994 at the Colorado Horse Park, I was immediately struck by the thoughtfulness and complexity of these saddles. Lucky me, I got my first Schleese in 95, and I have been with the company ever since! They are a huge part of my program and I couldn’t do it without them. Their saddles are the best in the business, and over the years I’ve witnessed many companies emulate and try to play catch up with them, but there is no substitute for a skillful Schleese evaluation and a frequently updated Schleese saddle.
If you value your horse, if you care about his comfort, if you want a saddle that will enable you to ride in alignment without pain, make the investment. I tell people; if you have to spend more on your saddle than you did on your horse, DO SO. It’s THAT important! Thank you, Schleese for your constant innovation, care, and amazing saddles, my horses and my rider’s thank you too!”