Meet Our Instructors
Dressage Instructor -
Karen Blythe
We are proud to have Karen Blythe as our dedicated dressage coach at McKenzie Park.
Karen visits weekly to coach our riders — including Lamoza and Charlize — and is known for her honest, straightforward approach and her deep investment in helping every rider and horse reach their full potential.
Karen is an EA Level 1 accredited coach with over 40 years of experience in the sport. She competes successfully at FEI Medium Tour level and has been recognised with multiple Dressage Performance Gold Medals for her horse Sonic K, who is also part of the Victorian High Performance Squad. In 2024, Karen was named FEI Athlete of the Year by Dressage Victoria — a testament to her excellence, dedication, and Here’s the updated version with that addition woven in naturally:
Karen has built a reputation for producing confident, capable riders and beautifully educated horses, from grassroots combinations through to FEI level.
Karen was proudly named Equestrian Victoria Dressage Coach of the Year in 2023, after being a finalist on multiple occasions. Her passion for developing both horses and riders has seen countless students achieve personal milestones, state and national success, and progress through the levels of the sport.
As a competitor, Karen has also enjoyed outstanding success with young horses. In 2026, she and Stryker K claimed the prestigious P.S.I. Dressage & Jumping with the Stars 4-Year-Old Championship, before going on to win the coveted Champion of Champions title. These achievements are a testament to Karen’s exceptional ability to produce young horses with confidence, correctness and longevity.
At McKenzie Park, Karen coaches every week and welcomes riders of all ages and abilities, from those just beginning their journey through to high-performance combinations. She is passionate about building strong foundations, correct training and confident partnerships between horse and rider.
Karen is the dressage coach of both La’Moza Velisha and Charlize Scott, playing an instrumental role in their ongoing development and competition success. We are incredibly fortunate to have Karen as part of the McKenzie Park team, where she generously shares her knowledge, experience and passion with our riding community each week.
Karen’s horses are also regular visitors to the McKenzie Park Sody Centre, where they enjoy weekly recovery and fitness sessions using our rehabilitation facilities. We love having Karen and her beautiful horses stay with us each week, and they have become a much-loved part of the McKenzie Park family.
At McKenzie Park, Karen is available for lessons every week, held in our indoor arena (equipped with mirrors to enhance training) or outdoors if preferred. Day and night lessons are available to accommodate riders’ busy schedules.
Beyond coaching, Karen is a trusted advisor in the planning and progression of our horses, and she plays a key role when selecting and purchasing new prospects. She also takes horses in for training, applying her deep knowledge to produce confident, well-educated dressage horses.
Karen’s own team of horses also enjoy spending time at McKenzie Park, making use of our facilities for training, rest, and rehabilitation. Her horses are regular users of our water treadmill and ECB cold-water mineral spa, benefiting from the same care and conditioning she promotes for all equine athletes.
Recently, Karen travelled with our team to the UK for the Burghley Horse Trials, continuing her hands-on support and commitment to our riders at the highest levels. She also attends all our major competitions, offering invaluable guidance both at home and away. All Lessons are to be paid to Karen directly.
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Photo credit - Tazzie Eggins
Yona Lloyd | 5★ Eventing Coach
We are incredibly proud to have Yona Lloyd coaching at McKenzie Park every fortnight on a Tuesday.
A 5★ event rider, Yona is available for both cross-country and showjumping lessons, sharing the knowledge and experience gained from competing and producing horses at the highest level of the sport.
Yona is renowned for his calm, natural coaching style and his ability to bring out the best in both horse and rider. He has a unique way of simplifying complex questions, building confidence and developing partnerships that are safe, effective and successful. Riders leave every lesson with a clearer understanding and a practical plan to keep progressing.
Through Ballahowe Performance Horses, Yona has produced a phenomenal number of FEI horses, with many carrying the respected Ballahowe prefix. His eye for developing young horses and producing them through the grades has earned him enormous respect throughout the eventing community.
Together with his amazing wife, Nina Lloyd, and daughter, Asha Lloyd, Yona runs Ballahowe Performance Horses from their beautiful property, which features an indoor arena, outdoor arenas and a cross-country course. They coach riders of all ages and levels while continuing to produce quality performance horses.
We are especially excited that Yona will be utilising McKenzie Park’s new purpose-built showjumping arena, alongside our cross-country facilities, to provide riders with outstanding training opportunities in a purpose-built environment.
Yona has been instrumental in the development of countless successful riders and horses, including our own La’Moza Velisha. We feel incredibly privileged to have him as part of the McKenzie Park coaching team.
Please note: All coaching fees are paid directly to Yona. McKenzie Park is simply honoured to host him and provide the facilities for these coaching days.
La’Moza Velisha | Eventing & Rider Coach
As McKenzie Park’s resident eventing coach, La’Moza brings a modern, encouraging approach to coaching that helps riders feel confident from the moment they step into the saddle.
A four-star event rider, FEI competitor and member of the winning Australian Oceania Challenge Team, La’Moza is about to embark on her first international campaign representing Australia at the Under 25 World Championships in Ireland. She has produced ponies and horses from their very first outings through to FEI competition, giving her a practical understanding of every stage of a horse’s development.
La’Moza is able to identify with Young riders, beginners and nervous combinations naturally feel at ease with her calm, and honest nature. She understands that every rider learns differently and takes the time to explain exercises in a way that builds confidence while creating strong, independent horsemen and horsewomen.
Lessons are tailored to each combination, whether you’re taking your first canter, learning to jump, preparing for Pony Club, Eventing Victoria competitions, or working towards FEI competition. Her focus is always on correct foundations, horse welfare, confidence and having fun along the way.
La’Moza also has two experienced school horses available, allowing riders without their own horse, or those wanting to gain confidence on an experienced mount, the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment.
Whether your goal is your very first competition or one day wearing the green and gold, La’Moza is passionate about helping every rider enjoy the journey and become the best partner they can be for their horse.
La”Moza is available every day of the week for coaching