




The Concord Team


Patrick Hesse
Born and raised in Germany, Patrick discovered his passion for horses at the age of 7. A skilled dressage rider, he has competed at the European S Level and trained horses up to the Grand Prix level.
A strong advocate for the German Classical Training Scale, Patrick trained and competed under German Olympic medalist Hannelore Brenner and Dorte Christensen from 2010 to 2015. His love for the sport and a desire to help others led him to a career in Occupational Therapy before moving to Canada.
With a background in Physiology, Patrick offers riders tailored guidance to maximize their effectiveness in the saddle, addressing physical limitations through targeted exercises. He draws from experience working at Germany's renowned Unfallklinik BG Ludwigshafen orthopedic hospital and his attendance at seminars by Isabell Werth and Ingrid Klimke, organized by the Mercedes-Benz Forum in Stuttgart.
​
Patrick has worked with horses at all levels, from young prospects to Grand Prix. Last year, he trained and exercised horses for the RCMP Musical Ride. He trained with Amelie von Harsdorf, a team member of Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (German Olympic Gold Medalist), and currently trains with Christoph Hess, bringing the highest standards of dressage to his students, horses in training along with Concord's sale prospects.

Joan Jacques
Joan’s equestrian journey began humbly in a small farm in New Jersey. Overcoming a deep fear of horses, she started slowly, developing a passion for horsemanship and equine management. In 2015, she began training with FEI Dressage rider and trainer Maggie McGuire, sparking her love for Dressage.
Seizing an incredible opportunity, Joan, her husband, and their two daughters—all avid riders—relocated to Denmark. There, they attended local riding schools, acquired 4 horses, and trained under local instructors, Clara Benkus, Marina Boss, and FEI Grand Prix Trainer/Rider Karolina Skott. In 2021, they returned to North America, settling near Ottawa with their European and US horses, and purchased what is now Concord Equine, transforming it into a premier equestrian facility.
"I was a late bloomer in my riding journey, beginning in my late 30s," Joan reflects. "With determination, I committed to lessons 3 days a week, even while living in Denmark with our four horses, who flew back with us. I fell in love with Dressage, Natural Horsemanship, and the European style of riding. Horses became central to my family’s life, fueling my drive to learn, grow, and advocate for better practices in the industry—one partnership at a time."
Joan has lived in four countries, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, and has professional experience in banking, investments, and business management.