Services
Full Training Board at First Choice Farm
Full training consists of a customized program designed to identify and meet each individual horse and rider's particular needs. “Developing a horse to become more beautiful and confident through classical training is what Felicitas does best." She combines decades of experience and success with modern insights into horse and rider biomechanics to create a practical everyday training program designed to create a wonderful synergy and flow between the two.
With Felicitas’ training system, horses become more expressive as they move up the levels, using the gymnastic effect of the movements logically to make the horse more beautiful by developing the right muscles and strengthening the horse.
Integrating natural horsemanship is another important part of her holistic approach. Understanding the importance of timing in regard to reward and correction, while using as much positive reinforcement as possible, is another essential element of her training philosophy.
Felicitas recognizes the importance of establishing a personal connection and understanding with each horse, as the foundation for creating an individual training plan that identifies and addresses their specific strengths and weaknesses. A cornerstone of her method is to always make horses feel secure as they learn to develop positive tension and power, while getting more confident in themselves and gaining trust in their rider.
Testimonial
"Patient and Kind Training Approach with Transformative Results Leads to Long-Time Clients"
"I brought a horse to First Choice Farm for three weeks so Felicitas could help me “fix” what was “wrong” with him. That was almost 20 years ago! Since then, Felicitas has taught me more than I could ever have imagined - both on and off the horse.
I have never met a horse that didn’t love and appreciate her kind, patient, fair and knowledgeable approach to training, which encourages the horse to “carry his own neck” and become a more willing, correct and beautiful dressage partner.
She is open to a wide variety of modalities through which to help both the horse and rider, (including regular body work, ground exercises, Theraplate, Hanna Somatics, Sure Foot Pads, various athletic stretch bands, and even the creative use of simple leg wraps) to aid the horse and rider to improve both strength and coordination, as well as overall body awareness.
Over the years, I have watched countless horses develop, becoming almost unrecognizable from the horse that first arrived. Watching her ride and train every day has been a huge example and inspiration for my own riding. "
— Kathryn Bono
Virtual Coaching
These personalized virtual lessons are available to all riders of any skill level. New students will need to complete a short questionnaire about themselves and their horses, sent via email, and provide a brief video clip via WhatsApp prior to their first lesson.
Lessons are 45 minutes long and cost $225. You can choose your preferred platform: WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom or the Pivo App is possible.
To schedule a lesson, contact Felicitas directly at Feneuco@aol.com with questions. Phone 410-707-6540.
Symposiums/Clinics
With the unique ability to help create the right synergy between horse and rider, as well as deep understanding of the classical gymnastic benefit of each movement, Felicitas presents a whole new thought process to the training process.
This gives her tools to help anyone who is looking for new solutions from training level to FEI, amateur and professional.
The outcome is always a more beautiful horse and rider combination, finding the flow needed for harmony.
Testimonial
I highly recommend working with Felicitas to anyone who wants to improve their teaching, training and communication skills
"I have been working with Felicitas for not quite a year, but in that short time, her teaching has helped me tremendously with my own horses as well as my students.
As a rider, Felicitas has given me some wonderful tools and helped coach me through developing connection with horses that wanted nothing to do with contact for various reasons. One of my personal horses has struggled with pain issues under saddle and although it seemed those issues were resolved, he still had incredible difficulty trusting the contact. Felicitas helped me explain connection to him and he is now more confident and happy in his work and has become a joy to ride.
As an instructor, watching Felicitas teach riders of all levels, helped me fine tune how I approach my students, their horses and their various stages of learning. She has wonderful tools for illustrating correct posture as well as fun and engaging exercises for both horse and rider. I feel as though my ability to communicate with my students has improved dramatically. I can also better focus my lessons on the most important puzzle pieces for building the solid basics of good riding.
My experience working with her as both a student and observer has been incredibly beneficial for continuing to develop my skills as an instructor. I highly recommend working with Felicitas to anyone who wants to improve their teaching, training and communication skills."
- Michele Wellman, By Chance Farm LLC, Union Bridge, MD
Video Analysis
Testimonial
"I have been fortunate enough to have Felicitas analyze five of my videos. The things she is able to see in both horse and rider are incredible."
"I have been fortunate enough to have Felicitas analyze five of my videos. The things she is able to see in both horse and rider are incredible. She has an extremely trained eye. Her years of knowledge and experience allow her to accurately read both horse and rider. Felicitas first focuses on the rider, respectfully pointing out areas of weakness, how they affect the horse, and how to correct them. She's able to clearly and concisely explain all of her suggestions, including excellent exercises and techniques to correct any deficiency in horse or rider. She has helped me grow immensely as a rider and trainer. Felicitas' analyses gave and are still giving my brain and body a workout. She has helped me learn and understand so much, not only about myself, but about how the horse's body works and how we work together. I've come to realize problems with my horses have been due to my lack of knowledge and abilities. Problems I'm on the road to fixing, thanks to Felicitas. My horses and I are very grateful. Felicitas is a truly gifted horsewoman and trainer."
- Brittanni Murry Faulk, Horse Trainer at Anchor Creek Farm, Washington Boro, PA
Online Courses
Creating Synergy and Flow for Horse and Rider
These courses will give you a completely different thought process and vision, how your horse needs to move and use itself, and how your body can enhance and influence self carriage.
New knowledge about your body position on the horse, with many clear and helpful visuals, will allow you to develop more feel and become a mindful rider who can go with the horse rather than against it.
You will think very differently about impulsion and energy and how to channel it, with a horse that can stay balanced and relaxed.
You will find many useful tools to help with proprioception and feel for horse and rider!
This SYNERGY of horse and rider, allows you to find FLOW that is needed for HARMONY!
View all online courses!
Testimonial
This is not a course in which you are reminded of the things you know, but a whole paradigm shift in horse communication that identifies and respects the horse’s intellect, emotions and physiology. Felicitas is one of a handful of uniquely talented, deeply educated and skilled trainers that brings the utmost kindness and understanding to her equine students.
Felicitas presents a cohesive, step-wise system with clear examples and explanations, that have transformed the tenor of my rides into a listening, responding, light and articulate conversation with my horse. She gave me a significant uptick in the elusive skill of “feel”.
I highly recommend this course for anyone in any discipline who wants to deepen their partnership with their horse, develop the full expression of his beauty both in movement and in his physical development, and find more joy in their journey together.
— Gail Kopp