Dorothy Maxfield

She was definitely one of the most unique people (of so many!) I had ever met in the dressage world and was a true help in many ways to WHH’s shows getting up and going. She had a wicked and wry sense of humor, as did her mother Lazelle Knocke and both were game for pretty much anything to do with shows or horses. When I was trying to learn my way around organizing, Dorothy was always there for questions and ideas. She worked hard and played hard, traveling the Eastern half of the country in her camper and trailer. She was an absolutely sterling person, whether an organizer, a dressage TD, an eventing TD, a dressage R judge, and an FEI rider. I am proud to have been able to call her a friend. A light has gone out in the dressage world. Thank you, Dorothy – for everything!
– Aleen Thomas

A wonderful lady is gone.
Words cannot fully express my sorrow at her passing, at another point in time I hope to ride with her again, until that time I have memories of her that I’ll carry forever.
– Joyce Halliday

I can’t believe she’s gone. We had so much fun traveling around in her camper. That’s how I learned how to drive a camper. I have met many cherished memories and I will miss her dearly
– Diana Mollema

I’m so heart broken. She was an incredible horsewomen!! She taught me not only about horses/riding but about who I wanted to be as a person. I remember going to her farm for a lesson and having to manual labor before/after my lessons. She made a huge impact in the world and will truly be missed.
– Jessica Lehnes

Dorothy was my first Dressage riding instructor. She was tough as nails, but instilled in me what it took to be successful. She taught me more lessons then just riding… She may not even have known that. I will never forget the yelling🤪 or her 2 hour lessons. I thought I was special because she let me shine her boots & clean her tack! Lol! Again more lessons then just riding! She was an integral part of my Dressage riding and training! The first instructor to get me to stop hanging on my left rein which she so eloquently did with yarn on that side! Needless to say there were many fun lessons & lots of lessons learned! She will be missed.
– Amy Nemeth

I started riding with Dorothy when I was 14 and she was 22. We have kept in touch over all these years and she was by far the most influential trainer in my life and a dear friend. All of my students had to endure her lunge line lessons before moving on to greater things. The same lunge line lessons I give credit to when some one tells me I have a great seat. She will be missed by sooo many and I for one am a much better person for being lucky to have had her in my life all these years. Keep riding my friend. There are a lot of great horses in this next stage of your journey. Hugs to Deborah.
– Joy Baker

I will miss her showing up in my driveway to spend time here on her way from north to south for her seasonal migration. We had many great visits and I always enjoyed her humor, stories and kind dedication to the sport we all love.
– Anne Rawl

There are no words my crazy, irreplaceable, spunky, talented, quirky, funny, wonderful friend. May you be pain free, riding Ali, and know you will always be loved… God I’m going to miss you…
– Erin Kelleway

Please join us is sharing your memory or story about Dorothy. You can use the “contact” link on top of this page, email Dorothy’s niece (dlkohout [at] yahoo.com) or comment on one of the posts below. Your comment or contact form submission will not display until we approve it or post it as a blog, if you permit us to. We SO appreciate hearing your words and memories! Thank you for submitting them!!

If you would like to express your appreciation for Dorothy, the family has requested that donations be made to the US Pony club in lieu of flowers. THANK YOU!