Who is Eileen Claffy?
I’ve had a passion for horses since I was a child. I got my first horse when I was 11 years old. We lived in Texas at that time, and I rode Western. In those days I assumed everybody did – especially in Texas!
My Grandmother Ruth gave me a book about the Spanish Riding School. That book triggered an interest in dressage that has lasted my whole life. I fell in love with the gentle, methodical approach to training, which was worlds apart from what I’d seen up to that time. I began taking lessons with a Hungarian gentleman, Miklos de Vargha, who, as it happens, had studied at the SRS.
He encouraged cross-training, as most European Masters do. He not only taught me about dressage, but jumping, cross-country riding, and the value of an all-around equestrian education.
Colonel de Vargha was the first of many colorful and interesting teachers I’ve had through the years. I also worked with Kelly (O’Leary) Boyd, who gained fame as the trainer and rider of JB Andrew, the first Mustang to reach the FEI (international) levels of dressage. I have worked with clinicians including Leslie Webb (Pan Am Games participant), Andrasz Seiberth, Stephan Kiesewetter, Janet Foy (international level judge), Dolly Hannon, (National level judge), and most recently, Siegfried Winkler, originally from Germany, now residing in Florida. He is a master teacher, trainer and judge.
I train and compete at Fourth and Prix St Georges with a Hanoverian gelding, and earned the USDF Bronze Medal In 2012. I’ve shown Arabs, part-Arabs, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Grades and Warmbloods. I’ve taught students on horses ranging from Arabians to Shires. I especially enjoy teaching adults and highly motivated young riders. Many of my students are mature riders who are either “re-riders” and riders with confidence or fear issues. I have worked with riders with disabilities. Some of my students are Western riders who are curious about dressage. Western Dressage is a new discipline recently recognized by the USEF. I was among the first group of people to go through the Train the Trainers program given through the Western Dressage Association of America.
Any horse can benefit from dressage, and any rider can expand his or her knowledge and tact through the principles of dressage. My goal is to teach with humor and sensitivity to the needs of my human and equine clients.
I’ve had a passion for horses since I was a child. I got my first horse when I was 11 years old. We lived in Texas at that time, and I rode Western. In those days I assumed everybody did – especially in Texas!
My Grandmother Ruth gave me a book about the Spanish Riding School. That book triggered an interest in dressage that has lasted my whole life. I fell in love with the gentle, methodical approach to training, which was worlds apart from what I’d seen up to that time. I began taking lessons with a Hungarian gentleman, Miklos de Vargha, who, as it happens, had studied at the SRS.
He encouraged cross-training, as most European Masters do. He not only taught me about dressage, but jumping, cross-country riding, and the value of an all-around equestrian education.
Colonel de Vargha was the first of many colorful and interesting teachers I’ve had through the years. I also worked with Kelly (O’Leary) Boyd, who gained fame as the trainer and rider of JB Andrew, the first Mustang to reach the FEI (international) levels of dressage. I have worked with clinicians including Leslie Webb (Pan Am Games participant), Andrasz Seiberth, Stephan Kiesewetter, Janet Foy (international level judge), Dolly Hannon, (National level judge), and most recently, Siegfried Winkler, originally from Germany, now residing in Florida. He is a master teacher, trainer and judge.
I train and compete at Fourth and Prix St Georges with a Hanoverian gelding, and earned the USDF Bronze Medal In 2012. I’ve shown Arabs, part-Arabs, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Grades and Warmbloods. I’ve taught students on horses ranging from Arabians to Shires. I especially enjoy teaching adults and highly motivated young riders. Many of my students are mature riders who are either “re-riders” and riders with confidence or fear issues. I have worked with riders with disabilities. Some of my students are Western riders who are curious about dressage. Western Dressage is a new discipline recently recognized by the USEF. I was among the first group of people to go through the Train the Trainers program given through the Western Dressage Association of America.
Any horse can benefit from dressage, and any rider can expand his or her knowledge and tact through the principles of dressage. My goal is to teach with humor and sensitivity to the needs of my human and equine clients.