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 growth, Liz began riding again and soon decided to begin teaching herself. That was over nine years ago and she has since guided many riders from beginning level to jumping on then onto the county show circuit.

"I love helping kids dvelop their focus and confidence in the ring 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.

Patricia Stitson, Assistant Trainer

Patricia began working for CEC nearly seven years ago as an instructor. She works hard to encourage teamwork and sportmanship with ther riders as well as confidence and a love for the sport and the horses.

After begging for seven years after having had one birthday party pony ride at the age of 3 in Amherst, Ma, Patricia finally began her riding career in Maine. By the age of 14 she had captured the Maine State Pony Hunter and Children's Hunter year end Champion Trophies as well as the Maine Equitation Memorial Trophy. By that point she was also breaking standardbreds to be trail horses as well as leading trail rides on the weekends. A long-time 4-H student, she began teaching summer camps when she turned eighteen.

Ironically Patricia returned to Amherst, Ma to attend and graduated from the acclaimed Stockbridge School at the Universtiy of Massachusettes as a Lears Honors scholar in Equine Industries. After working for a short time with event, dressage and hunter/jumper barns she returned to school. With a B.A. from the university of Southern Maine in Anthropology/Geography/Honors she moved to Boston to work in multimedia and film. After about of year of work she took a break from the city to work at Myopia Hunt Club in Beverly, Mass but then she returned to her work in film which brought her to NYC. Events surrounding 911 caused her to decide to move to the west coast and, eventually, to the steps of Concord Equestrian Center.

Nearly four years later, she began introducing kids to the show arena at the GSDHJA county shows in Del Mar Horsepark. For the past few years Patty has enjoyed introducing kids to the show arena in the Walk/Trot, Crossrail and Short Stirrup divisions.

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. 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. While riding and being exposed to the equine business, the atmosphere creates opportunity to learn.

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. Maribeth is under the training and guidance of Mark Conley at Concord.

Ashley...

Ashley uysed to ride with Mark years ago. Upon return from Iowa where she and her family moved back to some years ago, she approached Mark about a working student postion.

Kelly Joyner

Kelly began riding with CEC over a year ago and participated in our flexible show program this summer.

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 also participated in our flexible show program this year.