Located in beautiful Del Mar Horsepark

Mark Conley, Owner, Head Trainer & Barn Manager

Mark opened the doors of Concord Equestrian Center in Del Mar Horsepark over 15 years ago after living and training in North County for 3 years. Prior to living in California he owned and operated a Hunter/Jumper facility for six years in Texas after retiring from a successful career as VP of Sales at Rasic VC.

Mark grew up in Hawaii and began riding there at an early age. When his family moved to the mainland US he began working and competing on the East Coast circuit with such established names as Karen Healy, Robert Dover and George Morris in the Open, A/O and Jr. 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, it's best.

Liz McIntyre, Instructor

Liz began riding at the age of eight and spent many years riding the coastline of Torrey Pines. She was introduced to Concord when she signed her daughter Catherine up for lessons. Catherine is now competing at the top of the collegiate circuit with Fairfield University in Fairfield, Ct.

After watching Catherine's grow as a rider Liz began riding again. About nine years ago Mark invited Liz to join the CEC staff as an instructor. She has since guided many riders from beginning level to jumping on then onto the county show circuit.

"I love helping kids develop their focus and confidence in the arena so that they can apply these skills to their life in the world at large."

Liz also very much enjoys working with adults who are returning to or just starting to ride later in life. She is patient and meticulously detailed in her instruction.

Jennifer Black, Assistant Trainer

Jennifer began working for CEC as an instructor at the end of 2011. As assistant trainer, Jennifer splits her time between teaching students and training horses and she will step in whenever Mark is off at shows.

Jennifer is San Diego hunter/jumper matriarch Sally Black's daughter, and much more. She grew up in her mother and father'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.

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.

Maribeth Polese, Assistant Manager/Instructor

Maribeth Polese is originally from New Jersey. She grew up in a rural area called Warren until the age of 12 years. Maribeth has always felt very at home in a horse stable atmosphere and equine business. She began taking riding lessons as a small child learning english equitation. She knew riding was her passion from the very beginning. The passion was created from the genuine friendships built between Maribeth and the horses she rode.

Maribeth was diagnosed with Lyme disease at a very young age. At the age of seven, riding is what kept her going. The horses helped her stay mentally and emotionally healthy through the years while she learned how to overcome the difficulties of this disease. Riding gave her goals to move forward. Riding for her was an outlet from everything she went through. She came to North County with her family for the warm weather and the goal of going in to remission. She went into remission 3-4 months after moving to North County. She continued riding in San Diego.

Maribeth graduated from La Costa Canyon H.S. in 2003. She also attended Palomar College majoring in Art. At that time she focused on school and swimming on the swim team.

Maribeth came to Concord in the spring of 2007 looking to have riding lessons. She started as a working student caring for the school horses. Maribeth’s natural talent and past experience seemed to have found a place to emerge and grow. She began apprenticing as an instructor and began to take on more and more of the managment responsibilities. Maribeth was officially hired in May 2008. Since then she has worked with our summer camps, given pony rides and taught young beginners to enjoy being in the saddle. The kids really gravitate to her warm and accepting personality, as do our horses!

Maribeth recently purchased her own horse, Maddy. She chose not to enter Horse Shows this year but plans to start showing her horse next season.

Ximena

Ximena started working with us about an year ago as a working student and handling pony rides.

Kelly Joyner

Kelly began riding with CEC over two years ago. This past year she nearly captured Reserve Champion in the GSDHJA county but got beat out after her horse had some problems at the Championship Show. She will be competing in the Green Rider and Low Children's this year.

Camille Schenk

Camille is an accomplished GSDHJA county and A-Level circuit rider.

Emma Dickson

Emma has been riding with CEC for more than two years now and has recently been able to find a fast friend in Charmer, her new lease horse.