OUR STORY

Connie Brisbane’s journey in horsemanship began at an early age under the guidance of her mother, a respected riding instructor in Canada. In the late 1960s, her family relocated to Vermont, where Connie showed her first horse — a remarkable partner who taught her the foundations of English Equitation and Pleasure classes. “We were always in the ribbons,” Connie recalls. “He truly taught me how to ride.”

 

Determined to continue growing in the equestrian world, Connie later trained as a working pupil under a member of the Canadian Olympic team, an experience that shaped her deep respect for precision, discipline, and true horsemanship.

 

In 1974, Connie traveled to England, where she earned her certification through the British Horse Society while gaining invaluable international experience in riding and showing.

 

Her path eventually led her to Colorado, where she held a teaching position and continued showing horses in Boulder. Along the way, Connie expanded her professional knowledge by earning both her Equine Veterinary Technician certification and her LPN license, further strengthening her understanding of horse and rider care.

 

Wanting to explore Virginia, Connie accepted a riding position at a show barn in Charlottesville in 1987 — a move that would ultimately shape the next chapter of her life. After years of dedication to teaching, training, and caring for horses and riders alike, she established Pine Ridge Stables in 2000.

 

Today, Connie resides in Bedford County, Virginia with her husband, her horses, and her beloved pup, Zipper, continuing a lifelong mission rooted in compassion, patience, and purpose.

 

“My greatest joy is watching a rider have a lightbulb moment and seeing a neglected horse rediscover its spark.”