08/22/2025
Welcome back to our Introduction Series, where we introduce you to the horses and riders of Concordia Stables. Today, meet one of our wonderful boarders, Erin & her horse Axel!
Q: How long have you been riding?
A: “I have been riding since I was 9 when my dad arranged my first riding lesson for my birthday. I bought my first horse, Houdini, when I was 14. I took some breaks as an adult, including a break to have my son in 2019, but I have been riding consistently again since 2020.”
Q: What is your favorite discipline?
A: “I have experience with multiple disciplines and I even trained in eventing with my horse Axel for a bit last year, but my favorite discipline is dressage. I love that dressage feels like a dance. I think this is why I love riding with music so much and I have multiple riding playlists. I love the connection with your horse that comes with dressage and the partnership it takes to make the movements look effortless.”
Q: Tell us about your favorite horse at Concordia Stables
A: “My favorite horse is my own guy, Axel. Axel is a 9-year-old OTTB. I have had Axel for a little over 3 years now and we have grown so much together. Over the last year especially I have learned the importance of listening to him and he makes sure to remind me if I ever forget! We have had plenty of ups and downs, successes and set backs, but it’s made our relationship strong and I wouldn’t trade our journey for anything.”
Q: What are you currently working on in your riding, groundwork, or horsemanship?
A: “When I came to Concordia, I was working on regaining my confidence after a fall. I just wasn’t sure what the future held for Axel and I and I needed to be somewhere where I could rebuild. So I took a lot of time working from the ground back up. Kaitlyn helped me make realistic goals on my own timeline, from lunging and groundwork to being able to ride again with less fear. Our current goals are building Axel’s muscles back up and releasing his tension while riding. It is my hope as we both get stronger we can continue more dressage work in the near future.”
Q: What do you like most about Concordia Stables?
A:”I love that Concordia feels like a safe space with tons of support and freedom to work at my own pace. I am very grateful for Kaitlyn’s help with Axel and I can tell she loves him like her own horses. For me, Concordia feels like a place that I can exhale and be myself. As a working mom with a young child, the barn is my escape and I love being able to go there knowing I’m going to see supportive people and my happy horse no matter what else may be going on.”
When Erin is not at the barn, she is usually busy being mom! She loves to be outside with her son, Charlie, who loves sports, so you can usually find them playing baseball, basketball, or just throwing the football. She also enjoys taking walks and listening to audiobooks.
We are so happy to have you as a part of our barn family, Erin!