California Riding Magazine • February, 2012

Concord Equestrian Center
Jennifer Black adds her expertise to
well-established training program.

Mark Conley's Concord Equestrian Center has become synonymous with the San Diego hunter/jumper scene. So it's only natural that the busy training barn has taken on an assistant trainer of whom one could say the same: Jennifer Black.

Jennifer is San Diego hunter/jumper matriarch Sally Black's daughter, and much more. She grew up in her mother and father Trig's well-known Blackland Farm program in Bonita, where she thrived as a competitor in every division from the Pony Hunters on up to the big medals. Since turning professional, Jennifer worked for several years in partnership with Sally, ran her own business for a while, then enjoyed assisting other trainers.

Most recently, Jennifer worked as an assistant to Elizabeth Blaisdell-Knox at Harvest Moon Stables. "She'll be a wonderful addition to Concord Equestrian Center," says Elizabeth, who restructured her business and moved it from Del Mar Horsepark to Vista last year. "She has an in-depth understanding of the basics and how to prepare both horse and rider for the show ring. Her work ethic is unmatched. I wish Jennifer and Mark all the best in this new venture."
Jennifer just signed on in January, but she already feels like it's a good fit. Based at Del Mar Horsepark, the Concord Equestrian Center revolves around good people practicing good horsemanship. "He really has a nice group of people," she notes.

As assistant trainer, Jennifer splits her time between teaching students and training horses and she will step in whenever Mark is off at shows. "She has great teaching skills and lots of useful exercises for horses and riders," Mark says.

Jennifer considers every ride an opportunity to teach a horse something. For both horses and riders, she's dedicated to communicating her instructions in whatever way necessary for the subject to understand. "I've had instruction and clinics with the best, including George Morris, Frank Madden and other very talented professionals," she says. "I think everybody pretty much has the same thing to say, they just word it differently." She incorporates that idea in her work. "If I ask a horse a question and he doesn't respond, I think, 'Maybe they are just not understanding my question and I need to find another way to ask .'"

For 20-plus years Concord Equestrian Center has been moving equestrians through the pipeline from absolute beginners to accomplished show contenders. Pony rides are a great hook for beginners and the next step, the Riding Academy, emphasizes safe horse handling and sound fundamentals in the saddle. The training and show programs accommodate those with varying skills and ambitions, and nice mile markers, like the "Pony License," provide a structured system of advancement for those who want it. Mark has a steady supply of horses and ponies available for lease for those who want to test the horse-owning waters.

Mark heads an excellent staff, starting with himself. Prior to living in California he owned and operated a hunter/jumper facility in Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and New York.

The trainer grew up in Hawaii and began riding there at an early age. When his family moved to the mainland U.S. he began working and competing on the East Coast circuit with such established names as Karen Healey, Robert Dover and George Morris in the Open, A/O and Junior Jumpers. His style is based on a well-respected classical dressage foundation that allows the horse to become its best, physically and mentally, while imparting to the student the best way to allow the horse to be just that, its best.

In addition to Jennifer Black, Mark counts on his talented and skilled instructors of many years, Liz McIntyre and Maribeth Polese.

For more information on Concord Equestrian Center, visit www.concordequestrian.com or call 858-259-1148.