Constance Menard

The daughter of Jacques Menard,[1] a professional French dressage rider, Constance Menard started her own career twenty years ago, choosing dressage as her forte after having practiced all horse riding disciplines.

She now lives in Saumur, France, where she trains daily with her coach, Lt. Col. Michel Autran, ecuyer (riding master) of the Cadre Noir.

On August 9, 2005, Menard suffered a near-fatal accident when a bale of hay weighing almost 300 kilograms (660 lb) fell on her.

[1] Constance Menard is also an instructor, teaching students at riding schools all over Europe, including Geneva, Brussels, and Toulouse.

In 2005, Menard won the Grand Prix Special of Vejer and Lipica,[2] and participated in the European championship at Hagen, where she helped her team to seventh place.

Vanini and Constance at Neunmunster CDIW in 2002
Constance with the Dutch Harness Horse Lianca at the European Championship at Hagen in 2005