Dorothy McDonall

Female

Ontario

Canada

Profile Information:

A Bit About Me and my Horse(s)

I live a full life with my horse, my writing and my art.

First riding lesson: on a Welsh pony named Welshman at a small riding school called Frithmanor Stables in North Finchley, London, England, by an old English military man named John. He was wearing one of those old brown barn coats and a tweed cap. I was nine years old.
First fall: off a large four-year-old liver chestnut mare named Kimberly who decided she didn't want to be lead horse in a change of direction across the diagonal at trot. She bucked like a bronco and dumped me big time at 'X." I'd only been riding a year. First four-foot jump: at a stable in north London (England) riding a former David Broome mount named "Fleur," during a stride counting exercise. I was 18, I think, and it was a thrill of a life time.
First exposure to dressage/classical riding: Photos in a horse book of the Spanish Riding School.
First horse: Thirty-five years after my first riding lesson and many, many schoolies later, I finally became a horse mom. March 17, 2005, Lloyd and I purchased a four-year-old German-bred Hanoverian named Shakespeare (lovingly referred to as "Bear.") I could not have asked for a better first horse. He was definitely worth the wait. I have dressage dreams; he has dreams of eating carrots all day!

Apart from all of that ... I am an EC certified level 1 coach (1997); Bronze level certified trainer in Chris Irwin's methods (2005); Past President of Toronto CADORA (2007-2010), and recipient of an Ontario Equestrian Federation 2008 "People Who Make A Difference" Award.

Past member of Toastmasters International (Towns of York and Northern Lights Advanced Club) and to date have achieved my Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB) and Competent Leader (CL) designations.

Also, runner-up in an international travel writing contest sponsored by British heritage magazine ... REALM. (2010)

When I'm not horsing around I write, create veil paintings, spend time with my dogs and travel. In 2009 I embarked on the journey of Karate and recently achieved my Green belt.

Country

Canada

Website:

http://www.dorothymcdonall.wordpress.com

Do you have any pets?

One horse, two collie dogs and two kitty kats

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