Ella Cooper-Levin

My name is Ella Cooper-Levin and I am currently completing Stage 3 of the Pinnacle Programme. I am 23 years old and I am a dressage rider from a small country town called Waerenga within the Waikato. I recently graduated from the University of Waikato with Bachelor of Computer and Mathematical Science with First Class Honors. I am currently a Junior Quality Assurance Tester and Technical Business Analyst for LuminateOne in Hamilton.

In 2023 I was selected for the NZ team for the Pony Club International Alliance (PCIA) Virtual Dressage Competition with my horse Eva Amiral. I placed 5th overall and the in the Senior level. I am also the NZ riders representative on the PCIA Youth council where we are enacting projects to benefit pony club riders all over the world. With Eva, I competed at Level 6 and it is our goal to reach level 8 in the next few seasons.

My overall goal with my dressage career is to reach the Grand Prix level (level 9) and represent New Zealand at the world equestrian games and the Olympics. I also want to in the future improve the way Equestrian is run in New Zealand by combining my coding skills with my love of all things equestrian. The Pinnacle Programme has given me the skills to become a better horse rider by allowing me to think differently and become open to using skills that I learn from my journey. I am excited about my journey with the Pinnacle Programme.

"Dressage is the art of teaching the horse to carry you. Riding is the art of learning to be a good load to carry." –Richard Weiss