Concord Ridge Equestrian Center Welcomes Top Dressage Professional - Lee Tubman

Owners, Ron Schults and daughter, Sophia Shults built a premier equestrian facility with Dressage Grand Prix High Performance competitor, coach and Equine Canada and USEF “S” Dressage Judge, Lee Tubman. The team establishes a first rate dressage educational foundation. Visit www.concordhorses.com. The facility accommodates entry level through Grand Prix riders with an emphasis on the English disciplines of Dressage and Hunter/Jumpers. Located in St. Joseph, in southwest Michigan, Concord Ridge Equestrian Center consists of 44 stalls, twenty-four of those stalls have private turnouts attached (sunshine stalls), an indoor arena 130 feet x 220 feet with installed GGT footing, bleacher seating alongside the indoor, two balconies attached to the upstairs lounge - one overlooks the barn, one overlooks the arena and a conference room/classroom with large white boards - great for theory lessons. With two outdoor arenas – 180 feet x 250 feet and 140 feet x 250 feet also consisting of GGT footing on both outdoors, a beautiful large gazebo viewing area sits between the two outdoor rings, creating a great for view of the farm’s 39 acres, surrounded by vineyards.

Ron Schults shares the vision, “After completing a thorough review of quality facilities from Wellington, FL through the Midwest, we decided to build a barn that could accommodate entry level through Grand Prix riders with an emphasis on the English disciplines of Dressage and Hunter/Jumpers. Our vision at Concord is to have a facility that is one of the finest in the country that can attract top trainers, riders and horses. The facility provides amenities that create a comfortable family and club like atmosphere with a fireplace, private kitchen/bar, classroom, and of course quality indoor and outdoor arenas with modern GGT footing for today's discriminating equine enthusiast.

This vision expands beyond the equine world at Concord. We are currently in the planning phase to build equestrian themed homes where you can live on the property and walk/trail ride throughout the farm with your horse. Additionally, we are considering a winery/restaurant with an event/wedding space. We are located in a growing winery area; in fact, the Concord name came from the Concord grapes which grew on the property before the horses showed up.  I have also had discussions with hops growers, so a brewery might also be on the horizon.

With the help of a number of knowledgeable equine experts, we recruited the finest talent in the Dressage industry, and found Lee Tubman. Lee's exemplary experience and proven track record in the Dressage world is a perfect fit for the vision and future at Concord.”

The farm is located in a small town, everyone knows everyone type of place, right on Lake Michigan.

Lee Tubman -Grand Prix competitor, coach and Equine Canada and USEF “S” Dressage Judge

Born and raised on his parent’s ranch in Saskatchewan, Canada Lee shared, “My Dad had both a grain operation and a cattle ranch. We had Hereford cattle and we always had horses. I was exposed to all sorts of farm animals. My first pair of shoes as a baby were cowboy boots.

My Dad was a major influence. He taught me to respect the animals for what they are and how to be responsible for their welfare. He had a natural gift for handling them. He made difficult situations look easy. He often knew what they were going to do before they did it. I say jokingly, it was rather annoying to a teenager.

In 1976, I watched the Olympics and then took a dressage clinic. I felt I needed a challenge. The local coach was dressage oriented, and I began to follow down the dressage path under his tutelage. Then, I went to the North American Young Riders Championship. I had no idea what it was all about and I was so naive, that I wasn't nervous at all. I placed 11th individually and we won the Team Bronze Medal.

My most memorable showing events are a culmination of smaller moments of success. I really enjoy putting in a clean test. That in itself is not an easy thing to do. Winning all the classes entered at a show is really thrilling. My Young Rider Gold was a very memorable moment; making the Americans play O Canada during the ribbon ceremonies is great fun!

I give clinics on weekends from one end of Canada to the other and several states in the USA.

My support system consists of the world’s best groom, Krista Moyer, my two Jack Russsel terriers, my horse’s owner and her husband (we were raised not far from each other in Saskatchewan), my sister, and loads of friends who pay attention to what I’m up to. I’d like to thank my family, the present owners of my horses, many friends, and Krista, Gary and Jeannie, JD, Jeff and the Jack Russels, Daisy and Dior.”

Both Lee’s International horses are for sale: De La Rosa and Delight

Lee will show Delight in the World Equestrian Games qualifying classes this winter in Wellington for Canada.

Lee Tubman – 561-358-9077 - wltubman@gmail.com

Owner of Concord Ridge, Ron Shults shared, “My interest in horses started the year after my wife unexpectedly died in a car accident when my kids were 3 (Sophia) and 5 (Erik). Fortunately I was able to take early retirement from my business interests (edgewaterresources.com) and several mixed use waterfront real estate development projects to focus on my children and their activities. My son is an accomplished soccer player, and Sophia had interests in animals (with horses). My wife’s accident was in January 2004 and a business partner in NW Indiana, "Lefty" gave Sophia a Shetland pony for her 4th birthday. We didn't know much about horses, barns, farms at that time, but Sophia's love for horses and animals was obvious and I was supportive of any interests my children wanted to pursue. Once Sophia was given a pony, she named “Cream Puff", we began looking for an equestrian center that provided all the amenities that beginning through experienced riders, parents, horse lovers and kids could enjoy. “

Daughter, Sophia Schults shared, “I started riding when I was 4 and I quickly graduated from (and out-grew since I am 5' 9’) my Shetland Pony (which I named Cream Puff) to an older schoolmaster Lipizzaner. I currently ride a Lusitano named "Zealand" at 4th level, and my Primary horse today is a Trakehner "K P Safir” who is trained at the Grand Prix level.

My riding goals are to participate in National and International competitions in Wellington Florida this coming winter. I would like to compete initially in Prix St-Georges and progress through Intermediate 1. This winter I will primarily ride “Safir” in Wellington. Next summer’s show season I would include riding in Lamplight, Chicago, Devon, PA, and Saugerties, NY. I would hope to advance from the Prix St. George/Intermediare I tests to Intermediare II and possibly Grand Prix by the end of 2014. If my riding continues to improve, and my trainer, Lee Tubman feels we are ready, we may even consider riding in Europe in future summers and of course Wellington in the winters. Who knows, maybe I could even try out for the Olympics at some point!”

If you are looking for the highest quality training, with a meticulous stable and care, Lee Tubman and the Concord Ridge team and facility works for you. Lee will be heading to Wellington, Florida from December through March 2014. Be sure to introduce yourself to him!  

Summer Home: 

Concord Ridge Equestrian Center 

5200 M-139

St. Joseph, MI 49085

info@concordhorses.com 

269-428-0000

Winter Home:

Stillpoint Farm 

Wellington, Florida 

Lee Tubman – 561-358-9077 - wltubman@gmail.com