Deer Ridge Equestrian Partners with U.S. Olympian Tina Konyot

Dressage

U.S.A

American Olympian Tina Konyot has taken over the ride on three of Deer Ridge Equestrian's main competition horses. They are owned by Canadian-Dutch duo Lorna Minz and Froukje Staal.

Konyot stepped in after the departure of Canadian Olympian Megan Lane as Deer Ridge's head trainer of 13 years.

Deer Ridge Equestrian

Deer Ridge Equestrian is run by Canadian Minz and Staal and is a premier dressage facility in Loretto, Ontario.

From 2011 till the summer of 2023 Deer Ridge was home to Canadian Olympian Megan Lane, who competed their Zodiac MW at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon. Lane also produced San D'Or, which she showed at CDI's from 2013 until 2018 and then sold to Switzerland. In 2023 she rode at CDI's with Deer Ridge's Denver and 10-year old Furst Foundation (by Foundation x De Niro).

Megan's last CDI was in Caledon, ON in June 2023. Shortly afterwards she left the yard to pursue a new career as airplane pilot.

Tina Konyot

Lane left Minz and Staal without a rider, but a solution was found in 2012 U.S. Olympic team rider Tina Konyot.

"I've known Tina for a long time," Froukje told Eurodressage. "She used to love in Loretto when she was together with Roger Attfield (a Canadian thoroughbred horse trainer and owner and inductee of both the Canadian and United States horse racing Halls of Fame). She already rode San D'Or and Absolute Alonso fur us for a few years. That was 14 years ago."

Konyot told Eurodressage, "I was happy to hear from my old clients/friends when they called me to ask if I would have interest to take on their horses. The horses are wonderful as they are .

When asked if they didn't look for a Canadian rider, Froukje smiled and said, "we are happy with a good rider. Nationality doesn't matter to us. Now I need to learn the American national anthem."

Three for Tina

At the moment, Tina is riding three horses for Deer Ridge: the 9-year old Oldenburg gelding Viva Vivaldi (by Vivaldi x Weltmeyer), 16-year old Denver (by Vivaldi x Amethist), and a 6-year old Negro x Zack.

With the bay Viva Vivaldi she made her show debut at the CDN Ocala in December, posting 68.529% in the Prix St Georges. She will also debut Denver at medium tour level at the Global Dressage Festival in the upcoming months.

Tina explained, "our winter plans are to compete Viva in the small tour, but he is training the Grand Prix lessons. He is a very special horse! Handsome.. Sensitive and talented, the perfect combination. We are in no rush with him but we have big hopes in the future with this amazing, loving horse!!! Denver I'll start in the medium tour and hopefully into the GP. The Negro x Zack is a lovely young horse. We shall take our time with him

Tina is further campaigning her own and Ambassador Earle Mack's 10-year old KWPN gelding J Everdale (by Everdale x United), also known as Grover, whom she has been riding for three years. They made their national Grand Prix level show debut in December and will aim towards the CDI's in the next few months.

Dutch Connection

Deer Ridge Equestrian has tight connections with The Netherlands and closely collaborates with Dutch horse dealer and stallion owner, Eugene Reesink.

"All our horses, except Denver, were bought in partnership with Reesink Horses and are now fully owned by us," said Froukje.

The duo collaborates with two Dutch riders for training their young horses: Marcelle Hesselink and former Dutch Under 25 rider Febe van Zwambagt, whom they got met through Reesink.

"We've sent Furst foundation to Febe in The Netherlands. She is also riding Vigo (by Vitalis x Sir Donnerhall) for us, which we co-own with Eugene," said Froukje.

Exciting Times Ahead

Both in Loretto and Wellington, Staal does the daily management of the barn and Konyot only has to do the riding.

"Jan Bemelmans just came over to coach Tina and he told us that Viva Vivaldi could be a horse for the L.A. Olympics," Froukje stated.

Tina added, "I am excited for the future and so happy to reconnect with my Canadian friends and old neighbours. What’s great about the ladies of Deer Ridge is they only want the best for their horses and they allow the animals to develop without a rushed schedule. That’s the correct way of training and I greatly appreciate that approach."