Colin McIntosh

Colin McIntosh is a lifelong equestrian, who began his show career with success at the age of nine with many show and one day event wins to his credit, including his first major showjumping win at the age of 16. As an adult rider, Colin represented New Zealand in international three-day eventing in Australia. After focusing exclusively on showjumping, Colin continued his success in the show ring both nationally and internationally. He represented New Zealand on several teams in international competition, including the Seoul 1988 Olympics. In addition, Colin has won all of the prestigious showjumping titles in New Zealand; including, Horse of the Year, Grand Prix Rider of the Year (2 times) and New Zealand High Jump Title (4 times).

Colin has successfully trained/produced ten grand prix winners and numerous successful showjumpers and eventers. Colin is also known for his passion in developing coaching standards to improve the quality of coaching for horses and riders. Colin co-wrote the New Zealand coaching program, which is recognized by the International Group for Qualification and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. This program is currently used in the curriculum at equestrian colleges throughout New Zealand. He served as a coaching assessor until moving to the United States in 2004. He is recognized as an International Expert (Level 4) Showjumping Coach. Most recently, Colin has been involved with the Positive Coaching Alliance and he has earned his Double-Goal Coaching certification.

Colin and his wife Toni were the co-directors of New Zealand’s richest showjumping event. They also co-directed the Derby Championships, which were held at their stables.

Coaching Highlights

• Level 4 international showjumping coach (only holder of the coaching passport at this level in New Zealand).
• New Zealand’s first Jumper Riders Representative to both the New Zealand Showjumping Committee and Executive Committee.
• Trainer/producer 10 grand prix winners and numerous other successful showjumpers and eventers.
• Trained NZ event team to Gawler.
• Trained NZ young rider showjumping teams.
• Trained North Island young rider teams.
• Trained many of New Zealand’s top eventing and showjumping riders.

Equestrian Highlights

• Represented Northland province eight times at the New Zealand Pony Club Eventing championships.
• Represented New Zealand three-day eventing in Australia (1971-72).
• Competed in Dressage in Australia (1971-72).
• Represented New Zealand World Cup Qualifier in Australia (1982).
• Member New Zealand Showjumping Team against Australia (1987-88).
• Winner New Zealand Horse of the Year Title (1987).
• Winner North Island Grand Prix (1988).
• Member New Zealand Olympic Team, Showjumping in Seoul (1988).
• Member New Zealand Team Samsung FEI Competition (1993).
• Bay of Plenty AAA Award for Contribution to Sport (1998).
• Winner seven World Cup qualifier events.
• New Zealand Grand Prix Rider of the Year (twice).
• Winner New Zealand High Jump Title (four times).
• Competed/Trained Japan, Australia, USA, Korea, England, New Caledonia.
• Member New Zealand Showjumping Committee and Executive Committee.
• Member of team selector committee for New Zealand.
• New Zealand showjumping riders representative (6 years).

Toni McIntosh

Toni began her equestrian career at an early age riding showjumpers and eventers with great success. She won her first horse grand prix at the age of 14 (which is the same year she began competing in the adult divisions). Regarded as a very stylish and accomplished competitor, Toni spent time training in the United States with leading hunter/jumper trainers. Toni has produced and sold young Grand Prix horses that have been exported around the world, including to the United States, Japan, and Holland. While actively competing, Toni was sponsored by Hilton Herbs and several New Zealand companies. Toni jumped on the New Zealand Grand Prix and World Cup circuit with a team of very competitive horses until moving to the USA in 2004 and is now enjoying competing successfully in Grand Prix here in the USA.

Not one to only focus on riding and training, Toni was a TV commentator, providing expert commentary for three-day eventing and showjumping. Toni was also a radio commentator and wrote articles on showjumping for all three major equestrian magazines in New Zealand. In addition, she was a photographer for several equestrian magazines.

Toni is also an equestrian fashion designer and is the creator of “ORIGINALS BY TONI”, the latest in sport/equestrian clothing (www.originals-by-toni.com).
Toni and her husband Colin were the co-directors of New Zealand’s richest showjumping event. They also co-directed the Derby Championships, which were held at their stables.

Equestrian Highlights

• Winner of 12 pony jumper Grand Prix.
• New Zealand Pony Club Eventing Championships (1984-88).
• Province Dressage Championship (1985-88).
• Grand Prix Te Puke Winner (1985).
• Telebra Stakes Winner (1987; most prestigious young horse class in New Zealand).
• Working Student of the year (1987).
• C-Grade North Island Championship (1987).
• New Zealand Pony Club Showjumping Individual Champion and team silver (1988).
• North Island Winning Event Team (1988).
• AAA sports award winner (1988).
• New Zealand Showjumping Equitation Championship, 2nd (1991).
• Tauranga Showjumping Championships speed champion (1993).
• Lakeland Classic Taupo 2nd Place (1996).
• Hawera Grand Prix Winner (1999).
• Olympic Qualifier, 6th Place (2000).
• Horse of the Year National Championship Grand Prix, 4th (2000).
• Lady Rider of the Year, 5th (2000).
• Horse of the Year National Championship Grand Prix, 5th (2001).
• Gisborne World Cup Qualifier, 4th (2001).
• Auckland World Cup Final, 6th (2001).
• New Zealand 7-year-old Championship, 2nd (2002).
• Numerous other Grand Prix placing’s and wins.

Coaching Highlights

• Trained several successful pony club teams.
• Trained young rider showjumping champion.
• Trained High Jump Winner, 2 times.
• Trained NZPC Eventing Championships silver medalist.
• Trained Kawerua Pony Grand Prix winner.
• Trained top rider to major Grand Prix wins, including World Cup Qualifiers and Samsung Grand Prixs both horse and rider.

Assistant Trainers

Dezraye Choi

Dezraye Choi has competed in the hunters, jumpers and equitation throughout California, most notably while training with Gry and Duncan McFarlane. She has also worked as an equine vet tech and encourages her students to develop strong horsemanship skills. She's already proven herself to be a popular coach, and her riding skills are a valuable asset to the team.

Nicole DiCorti

Nicole DiCorti has been riding since the age of ten. Through her junior career she rode with Dick Widger in Carmel, CA primarily in the jumpers. Nicole graduated Lake Erie College (Painesville, OH) in 2010 where she received a degree in Equine Entrepreneurship. While attending Lake Erie, she was given the opportunity to compete in the hunters and equitation division as an active member of Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). Nicole qualified for both Regional Finals and Zones Finals all four years. Her senior year, she was nominated co-captain for the team and also qualified to represent her region as the Cachionne Cup rider at Nationals held in Lexington, KY. While home on summer breaks, Nicole rode as a working student for Denize Borges at Crystal Image Farms, learning extensively about sales, teaching, and showing. Before she began working with the team at McIntosh she spent time in Germany, working and riding at a barn outside of Hamburg.

Sarah Phaklides

Sarah has ridden, trained and shown with some of Southern California’s top hunter, jumper, equitation and dressage trainers. As an amateur, Sarah excelled in the equitation arena and received top placings in numerous Southern California medal finals. Sarah has turned her focus to the jumper ring while she enjoys her students' successes in all three rings.