TESTIMONIALS
"When I first began working with Connie, I had no idea how profoundly she would transform not only my riding abilities but also my relationship with my horse and my understanding of true horsemanship. What makes an exceptional trainer is not just technical knowledge, but the ability to create lasting change through honesty, dedication to the horse's welfare, and emotional attunement. Connie embodied all these qualities and more.
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What distinguished Connie most was her unwavering focus on horse welfare, both during and outside our training sessions. She reduced my reliance on artificial aids, removing my dressage whip and switching to a smaller, duller spur. The softer snaffle bit she recommended proved much more comfortable for my horse.
Her concern extended beyond our riding time. She would call the morning after our lessons to ensure I got my horse out of his stall to walk and use his body. She continuously educated me through video recommendations and books, expanding my knowledge beyond our lessons.
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These seemingly small adjustments will make significant differences in my horse's overall well-being and, consequently, our work together.
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Perhaps Connie's greatest gift was creating an environment where genuine learning could occur. The deconstruction of my position and approach initially triggered feelings of inadequacy and frustration, bringing me to what might be called a "tipping point" where many riders abandon their pursuits.
During complex exercises, when cognitive overload would cause me to tense up or blank out, Connie maintained her high standards while somehow communicating her belief in my ability to improve. She created a rare environment where I felt both challenged and supported, making it "safe" to learn despite the difficulty.
Her approach embodied a quality of attunement – recognizing not just my technical needs but my emotional state as well. This created a sense of being truly seen, which paradoxically made her technical demands more acceptable.
The Lasting Impact
Working with Connie taught me that true horsemanship requires letting go of ego and embracing the process of continuous improvement. I learned to:
- Recognize tension without self-judgment
- Break cycles of anticipatory stress that affected my riding
- Focus on the process rather than seeking validation
- Accept that deconstructing existing patterns must precede building better ones
Most importantly, I discovered that the relationship between horse and rider mirrors the relationship between student and teacher – both require honesty, attunement, and mutual respect to flourish.
Connie's impact on my riding journey cannot be overstated. Through her technical diligence, focus on horse welfare, and emotional attunement, she created transformative change that extends far beyond equitation. She taught me that excellent instruction involves both physical and psychological dimensions and that addressing both is essential to development.
The balanced guidance she provided – honest yet supportive, demanding yet responsive – allowed me to move beyond my comfort zone into new realms of possibility with my horse. For this profound gift of growth, I will always be grateful." - Mary, 2025
"Matchmaker Ltd offers horses and riders a quality training program, meticulously maintained facilities, and the highest regard to care all in fun, friendly atmosphere. The training program is thorough and challenging while keeping the abilities of the horse and rider in mind at all times. After riding with Connie as both a junior and now an amateur, it's clear that her approach to teaching prepares clients to be competitive at truly any level. Additionally, top talent from around the country is brought in for consistent clinics to supplement and enhance the program.
The farm itself is horse paradise! Rolling, grass pastures provide some of the best turnout in all of Chicago and let your horse just be a horse! The Matchmaker team is highly skilled and dedicated to maintain the property, not to mention incredibly organized. They have very high standards and it shows!
When it comes to horse care, I haven't met anyone as dedicated, knowledgeable, or diligent as Connie. The second you walk into the barn, you can tell the horses are happy, healthy, and fit. Horse care is always top priority! Any horse would truly be lucky to be in her program.
Matchmaker really lives up to it's name. Connie has an uncanny ability to match horse and rider and consistently find quality. Connie found me the most perfect Junior Hunter who not only put up with my mistakes and taught me to be a better rider, but also confidently took me around the show ring in any company. I've seen her find the best of the best - it doesn't matter if you're looking for your first short stirrup pony, next derby horse, or equitation star. She also have an eye for young, talented horses and does a lovely job developing them into true athletes. Most importantly, she always focuses on finding a true, compatible match for both the horse and rider.
Thank you for taking such wonderful care of the horses and making me into a better rider with each and every lesson!" - Koko, 2019