The 21-year-old supports her passion working three part-time jobs, sometimes over 60 hours a week.
“That’s what I have to do, and this is what I love to do,” said Trill, standing at the gate to the arena where she’d just completed a lesson. “What I love most about riding is the partnership, being able to trust in a 1,200 pound animal and communicate with them. It’s a beautiful thing to have that trust and partnership in an animal that size.”
It’s a love that has been in place ever since Trill was a little girl. Although she chose to move to North Carolina three years ago so that she could ride and train year round, Trill grew up in Ohio. Her mother, Donna, remembers taking her to a fair with pony rides. Trill got on the pony and didn’t want to get off. The family eventually moved to a farm, and Trill began taking riding lessons. She got her first pony for Christmas when she was 10.
“I opened up a big box, and there was a saddle pad inside,” said Trill. “I was so heartbroken. I was 10 years old, and I thought there’d be a pony under the tree.”
The family visited the farm where Trill had been taking lessons later that day. Her new pony was in its stall, with its mane festively braided with ribbons.
Trill soon outgrew ponies and moved on to horses. She obtained Sage when the horse was two years old. Sage was too young for the jumping that Trill wanted to do, so she began looking into alternatives and came across dressage, a French term meaning “training.” Its purpose is to develop the horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to work making him calm, supple and attentive to his rider. For example, the slightest shift in a rider’s body or turn of the head can signal to the horse to move a certain way.
“We started at the very beginning, and four years later, Sage was the state champion,” said Trill.
Trill began teaching lessons not long after that big win and taking online courses through Michigan State University’s online program My Horse University, which provides classes in equine science and management. She says she’s taken all of their courses and is waiting for them to come out with more.
“I’m constantly looking for inspiration. I go to clinics, I read books, I take lessons, I ask questions, I show, I note my imperfections and I improve,” said Trill.
And she’s eager to share her knowledge with her students. Vicie Records is a local high school teacher who has been taking lessons with Trill for the past couple of months.
“Allie is just awesome. Teachers notice when other teachers are good,” said Records. “She is always patient and she always gives praise. She’s just so calm and relaxed all the time.”
Records was so impressed with Trill’s teaching methods that she began applying some of them to her own classroom and the way she interacts with her students.
“I praise my students more, and I make sure they know they’re doing a good job. If something stressful happens I’ve learned to stop, take a deep breath and just let it go,” she said.
The release of stress is vital to a good lesson, says Trill.
“I make sure that we take time at the beginning of every lesson to just take a deep breath, clear your mind, release all your stress and just concentrate on the 1,200 pound animal beneath you,” she said.
It seems to be working - Records says both she and her horse have improved greatly since beginning lessons. Initially, Records’ horse, Lizzie, wouldn’t stop or even hold still. Since then, the pair has made remarkable strides, and Records gives all the credit to Trill.
“It’s knowing what to tell [the horse] and how to tell her,” said Records. “Allie calls it the three ‘T’s’ – think about what you want, tell them and then trust they’re going to do it.”
Trill agreed. “It’s all about body awareness – understanding their body language and speaking it, but being able to listen to it as well. When you do it right, everything falls into place. It takes the stress and frustration out of riding it makes it enjoyable, for you and for the horse,” she said.
Trill is preparing to help local riders get the most of out of their riding experience as well. She’s holding an equestrian advice clinic on March 13 at Cedar Grove Farm in the Cleveland area.
“It’s simple things that can make a huge impact,” said Trill. “There are a lot of equestrian clinics out there. I’ve been to several over the years, and I saw what I liked and what I didn’t like. I just want to get the word out that I’m here to help.”
Trill says her clinic is geared toward the beginner rider, the 4-H rider, the intermediate rider, and those just looking for answers.
She encourages any and all riders to participate in the clinic. If you have questions, she has answers, for people who want to understand the “whys” of riding, or those who want to bond and communicate with their horses.
“I would encourage people not to be shy – if you’re interested but unsure, call me,” said Trill. “If it’s something you want to do, take advantage of this excellent learning opportunity. There’s a lot to learn and nothing to lose.”
Riders planning to attend must notify Trill by Mar. 5. The necessary forms for the clinic are available online at www.equestrianadvice.net. Trill will have extra copies of the paperwork at the clinic, but those who wish to attend must let her know by the end of the day on Mar. 5.
Along with the clinic, Trill also teaches riding lessons. Students can come to the arena at Cedar Grove, or Trill will travel to you to work on the issues you and your horse are having.
“If you don’t have a relationship with your horse right now, you will. If you do have a relationship with your horse, I can help it improve tenfold,” she said. “I can teach you to listen to what they’re saying through their body language and to speak it yourself.”
Trill is realistic when it comes to lessons as well. “I know how the economy is, and I’m not going to push my students to spend money,” she said. “If all you can afford is two lessons a month, great. You’re not signing a contract for life. If you need a break, that’s fine – I’ll be here. I just want horses to enrich other people’s lives the way they’ve enriched mine. I love teaching, seeing people’s faces light up when they’re riding.”
Trill herself is constantly learning, and she hopes to use that knowledge to achieve several goals: she plans to take the three day exam to become a dressage instructor, a long process that involves reading 300 books and demonstrating your knowledge and performance in front of a panel of judges; and her biggest goal of all is to participate in the World Championships or the Olympics.
“When you wake up in the morning and the only thing you can think about is horses and riding and teaching and learning, then you have the will, and you find a way,” she said. “When you want something bad enough, you don’t notice the sacrifices you put yourself through to get where you want to go, because it’s worth it.”
The clinic will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each ride is individual and will receive 100 percent of Trill’s attention. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunches, and snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. Trill also recommends bringing a notebook to take notes.
To download the forms, visit www.equestrianadvice.net.
Call Trill for more information or with any questions at 330-352-0325.
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