My name is Claire Aasen, owner of Synergy, and I specialize in blending relational horsemanship and dressage, with the objective of creating a relaxed, happy horse who is able to perform to a high level without any worry or tension. My training involves a blend of groundwork and riding, taking the time to build trust and establish a confident, balanced and harmonious partnership between horse and rider.
I believe that mental and physical softness are the foundations of a true partnership between horse and rider. Many people strive to feel a deeper connection with their horses, and that is the focus of my training program. My students are encouraged to develop their feel and timing, and learn how to establish leadership in a way that allows their horses to be confident in their work and able to relax and focus on the task at hand. I want to be able to bring horses to their full potential without ever sacrificing the trust and softness we have developed together.
It has been a long journey to get to this point... I grew up in Winnipeg, MB and began riding at the age of 11. I loved it right from the start, and soon my weekly lessons progressed to working as a groom for my coach and riding every time I had the chance. A few years later I was blessed to get my first horse.
After riding and working in many different disciplines including arabians, saddlebreds, western pleasure, hunters, jumpers, and eventing, I fell in love with showjumping. The day after graduating high school I went to Langley for a working student position at Thunderbird Training Centre, and eventually moved to Calgary to work and ride at numerous jumper barns. But somewhere along the way I found myself wanting more... I was seeking more of a connection with my horses, on a deeper level than I had experienced to that point.
In 2007 I went to watch my first Josh Nichol clinic, and it was like a whole new world opened up to me! I felt like this was what I had been missing, this level of connection and relationship with the horses. From that moment I was committed to learning all I could about this new area of horsemanship, and I have spent the last 11 years working with Josh as often as possible.
Since beginning my work on relational horsemanship, I have developed a love of classical dressage. My goal as a trainer is to blend my horsemanship skills and philosophy with the technical aspects of dressage, to create willing, relaxed horses who are happy in their work and totally connected to their riders.
I believe that mental and physical softness are the foundations of a true partnership between horse and rider. Many people strive to feel a deeper connection with their horses, and that is the focus of my training program. My students are encouraged to develop their feel and timing, and learn how to establish leadership in a way that allows their horses to be confident in their work and able to relax and focus on the task at hand. I want to be able to bring horses to their full potential without ever sacrificing the trust and softness we have developed together.
It has been a long journey to get to this point... I grew up in Winnipeg, MB and began riding at the age of 11. I loved it right from the start, and soon my weekly lessons progressed to working as a groom for my coach and riding every time I had the chance. A few years later I was blessed to get my first horse.
After riding and working in many different disciplines including arabians, saddlebreds, western pleasure, hunters, jumpers, and eventing, I fell in love with showjumping. The day after graduating high school I went to Langley for a working student position at Thunderbird Training Centre, and eventually moved to Calgary to work and ride at numerous jumper barns. But somewhere along the way I found myself wanting more... I was seeking more of a connection with my horses, on a deeper level than I had experienced to that point.
In 2007 I went to watch my first Josh Nichol clinic, and it was like a whole new world opened up to me! I felt like this was what I had been missing, this level of connection and relationship with the horses. From that moment I was committed to learning all I could about this new area of horsemanship, and I have spent the last 11 years working with Josh as often as possible.
Since beginning my work on relational horsemanship, I have developed a love of classical dressage. My goal as a trainer is to blend my horsemanship skills and philosophy with the technical aspects of dressage, to create willing, relaxed horses who are happy in their work and totally connected to their riders.
claire@synergy-equestrian.com 250-217-4643