Team #787 Connie Meredith and Negro Veneziano
Photo by S.M.B Photography
Team #787: Connie Meredith and Negro Veneziano
From: Bandera, Texas
Ages: 79 & 21
Combined Age: 100
Test: Third Level Test 1
My German Riding Pony, Negro Veneziano, and I rode Third Level Test 1 at the Cactus Classic Dressage show in Dripping Springs, Texas, on August 3. I started dressage in 2012 after many years of endurance riding. Of all the various disciplines I have participated in, dressage has proven to be the most difficult (harder than even a 100-mile endurance ride) and yet so incredibly rewarding.
I trained with Eva Oldenbroek of Oldenbroek-Tabor Sporthorses (now located in Ocala, Florida) until January 2022 when I brought my horse home to relax and enjoy trail riding. The Century Club ride has always been a hoped-for goal since hearing about it when first started in dressage. Eva and her daughter Anya completely surprised me by flying from Florida to Texas and showing up for this show.
I also want to thank all my friends and family for coming to this show to support me. Thank you, Ashley Shaw (Galloping Springs Ranch), for giving me lessons for the six weeks prior to the show as there were many "cobwebs" that needed to be brushed off. Thank you to The Dressage Foundation’s Century Club for this honor!
