All About Erika
Hi! My name is Erika Schlicht, and I started Fitness Eventing in 2019 to help Thoroughbreds have the best life possible. My team and I start youngsters, retrain and sell OTTBs, and help current TB owners achieve their goals. We focus on Thoroughbreds and the eventing discipline, but we accept anyone and any breed, no judgement here!
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I have over 15 years experience as a professional trainer and instructor. I have worked for top names in the sport, including Stephen Bradley, Lauren Nicholson, Clasing Equestrian. Over the years I have worked as a groom, barn manager, rider, trainer, and coach so I am competent in all aspects of your horse's training and care. I also hold my Bachelor's degree in Animal Science (concentration in Equine) and grew up in Pony Club. I have two personal horses Jarman (show name Starstruck), a very well seasoned (over 20 years old) Irish Sport Horse who is semi-retired at Training Level. He continues to teach me everyday how to be a tactful and correct rider (because otherwise brakes are optional!). Freddy (show/JC name Fiber and Emily) is my OTTB who my jockey husband rode to many race wins at Charles Town Racetrack. Freddy continually teaches me patience and to leave my emotions out of the tack (because otherwise he finds excuses to spook and fly sideways!). But truly, both my horses are the best boys and are my motivation to always strive to be a better rider. I became a trainer because I believe improving the education of horse and rider leads to healthier and happier lives for our beloved horses. My goal is to help you achieve your goals with your horse, whatever they may be. |
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"I have been a student of Erika's since 2016, and can attest to her awesome, patient, knowledgeable instructing, trust her riding abilities and horses she has started. From dressage to jumpers, Morgans to Thoroughbreds, she has the experience to work with any level horse and rider." -Heather with her OTTB David
Training Philosophy
Here at Fitness Eventing we focus on teaching the horses how to use their bodies correctly so they stay sound throughout their lives. What does this mean? To put everything simply, when a horse is balanced back to front and side to side, it can carry its bodyweight using muscles evenly (no bulking up one side/other side staying very weak) and without putting undue pressure on any one limb (causing strain on joints, tendons, ligaments).
How do we do this? Erika TEACHES the horses with patience and consistent techniques. When training OTTBs, we realize that we are RE training them; they already had a career and know how to gallop on a track very well. Consistency and patience are the key elements required to teach an OTTB that their old career is over, and that now they must respect new aids from the rider and use their bodies differently. Here is what Erika focuses on when retraining OTTBs:
How do we do this? Erika TEACHES the horses with patience and consistent techniques. When training OTTBs, we realize that we are RE training them; they already had a career and know how to gallop on a track very well. Consistency and patience are the key elements required to teach an OTTB that their old career is over, and that now they must respect new aids from the rider and use their bodies differently. Here is what Erika focuses on when retraining OTTBs:
- Pushing evenly from behind; having an even rhythm with their hind legs so each leg pushes with the same amount of force
- Maintaining side to side balance through their hips & shoulders so they stay level especially when turning (how many horses drop their left shoulder to turn left?)
- Bending through their ribcage (not just their neck) to encourage relaxation over their back & increase flexibility
- Patience; to wait for the rider's aids without anticipating or panicking
- Focus; to think about their own feet and balance instead of rushing through exercises
