Biography: Laurie Falvo Doyle

• Accomplished FEI competitor winning numerous
  Regional and National Titles

• Respected Trainer, Instructor, and Coach having
  trained over 20 horse and rider combinations to
  the Grand Prix Levels

• USDF Licensed "R" Judge.

• USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist.

Like many professionals, Laurie’s riding career began at a very young age. She was an active member of the Woodland Hills Pony Club with Hilda Gurney acting as her mentor and coach. While working with Hilda, she quickly mastered the art of riding and by the age of 16 rode her first Grand Prix test on a Thoroughbred gelding The System that was purchased for $500.00. At 17, only one year later, she qualified and competed with The System in the 1976 Olympic Selection Trials held in Gladstone, New Jersey.

Since then, there has been no looking back. Laurie has qualified and ridden in three Olympic Festivals and won numerous Regional and National Championship Titles. More recently, she competed on Grand Makana, an 8 year old imported gelding owned by Joan Cvengros. "Makana" came to Laurie as a 3 year old in 2003 and by 2005, he was the USEF/Markel Western Young Horse Champion. Later that year, the pair earned the title of Reserve Champion 5 year old at the USEF/Markel National Young Horse Dressage Championships in Kentucky and qualified for the World Young Horse Championships in Verden, Germany. In 2008, she will again travel to Kentucky for the USEF/Markel National Young Horse Dressage Championships this time as coach to Gina Miller and her talented mare, Flaming Heart, a 6 year old Westphalen mare by the esteemed stallion Florestan.

When meeting Laurie Falvo Doyle for the first time, one is quickly drawn in by her warmth and engaging personality. As an experienced professional, her philosophy centers on throughness and harmony. “One of the things I do when I look at a horse is analyze its gaits, conformation, and mind to determine the best path to get that horse to Grand Prix”, shared Laurie.

As a trainer and coach, Laurie has been instrumental in her students achieving impressive accomplishments. Her highlights include coaching Emmy Sobieski to a Team Gold at the 1986 NAYRC championships; "S" Judge and Dressage Trainer Donna Richardson and Jazzman to a Team Gold at the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Canada; Alycia Mondavi and Heslegards Disney to a Team Silver Medal at the 2005 NAYRC Championships; and she is the California dressage trainer for 3-day Eventer Gina Miles and her horse Mckinlaigh who won the individual silver medal for Equestrian Eventing at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

In 2005, Flo Brown began training with Laurie and the two created a wonderful partnership. In 2006, Ms. Brown purchased Dove Hollow Stables located in Olivenhain, CA. Over the following year, Dove Hollow Dressage Center was completely renovated and became the elegant dressage facility it is today. "I am so lucky, thanks to Flo, to have a wonderful facility like Dove Hollow so we can fulfill our training goals" said Laurie.

When she isn't teaching or on a horse, you can find Laurie indulging her other passion, Eagle Gap Winery, the vineyard she and her husband James started. Located in the beautiful mountains of Southern California overlooking Lake Henshaw, Eagle Gap nurtures and produces its Shiraz, Pinot Grigio, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. To find out more about Laurie’s other passion  visit www.eaglegapvineyards.com.