Christine Ogier Knox is originally from Barrington Hills, Illinois where she attained the US Pony Clubs ‘A’ rating. As a rider, trainer, judge, coach, course designer and clinician Chris has been active in the sports of eventing, dressage, hunters, show jumping, and combined driving. She was a candidate for the 1976 Olympic Eventing team and has trained and competed horses through FEI levels in Dressage and Combined Driving. Horses and students trained by Chris have won local, regional, national and international honors in eventing, hunters, jumpers, driving and dressage. As a former member of the United States Eventing Association Board of Governors, Chris was instrumental in developing the Adult Team Championships and served as chairman of the Adult Riders Committee. Chris also served as a licensed USEF Judge and Technical Delegate in Dressage and Eventing for twenty years. She currently serves as Chair of the USEF Connemara Committee and as Chair of the USEF Breeders Committee. She is a foundational member of the US Dressage Federation, Life member of the US Eventing Association and a former National Examiner and Chief Horse Management Judge for the US Pony Clubs. She served for many years on the Board of the American Connemara Pony Society and is a past president. Chris has ridden and coached in Canada, England and Ireland as well as throughout the U.S.
Chris, with her husband Phil and family, currently breed, raise and train Connemara and Connemara/Thoroughbred cross sport horses at Knox Farm in Chesterfield, Idaho. Their son, Peter, (also a Pony Club graduate A) is an equine veterinary surgeon. Daughter, Giny, Is a Pony Club HA and assists with the training and horse management on the farm. Knox Farm has been breeding competitive sport horses for over 35 years. Visitors and students from all one the U.S. and around the world enjoy. Western hospitality and experience first class horsemanship at Knox Farm.
As an instructor, trainer and clinician, Chris focuses on correct equitation skills, harmony and communication between horse and rider and an overall understanding of good horsemanship. She believes both the horse and rider must be comfortable, confident and happy in their work to be successful. Chris stresses that good horsemanship is based on mutual respect, trust and communication between equine and human both in the stable and under saddle.
Chris has long been an advocate of inspections to ensure the quality and integrity of the purebred Connemara Pony and she helped create and refine the process within the ACPS. She believes it is the responsibility of Connemara breeders to do their utmost to promote and protect a gene pool which ensures quality of type, conformation, temperament and movement. It is only through these efforts the wonderful attributes of the Connemara Pony will be preserved. Chris continues to endeavor to inspire enthusiasm for Connemaras and to encourage commitment to conscientious and responsible breeding programs.
