Going Beyond the hobby

Pony Club, Stafford – MOUNTED GAMES

Started riding at the age of 4 having nagged her parents to take her to the local stables. Her first naughty pony was at the age of 7 which then introduced her to the Staffordshire Pony Club where she competed in the mounted games and across all the different pony club disciplines.

Apprentice, Stafford – SHOW RING AND HUNTING

Working with Nicola Holford, a national showing producer and rider at Home Farm Livery in Staffordshire. This was where Leanne spent 2 years undertaking her apprenticeship. Nicola produces and rides show horses/ponies to compete at County and National Championships, including the Royal Windsor Horse Show and HOYS. This is where Leanne learnt all her top grooming tips and how to produce horses/ponies for the show ring.

In addition Nicola owned a hunter livery yard so once the busy showing season was finished the focus was on hunter fitness and hunting. 

It was at Ingestry Stables with Tim Downs, a British Horse Society training and examination centre, that Leanne completed her BHSAI training from which she has gone on to develop her teaching skills.

Head Groom, Belgium – SHOW JUMPING

The next move for Leanne was to Belgium working for Guy Slates, a well respected international producer of Grade A show jumping horses. Many of his horses went on to successful careers with a number competing at large, well known venues such as Hickstead and Olympia.

Head Groom, Scuderia La Capullara, Italy - DRESSAGE

In the early 90s Leanne went to work for Laura Cons, at the time Italy’s top dressage rider competing at international Grand Prix level. This provided her with a fantastic opportunity to learn from the very best and work closely with Laura: 

· The day to day care of top class Grand Prix dressage horses.

· Working with horses to ensure they were fit and ready for international shows.

· Grooming at shows for Laura with the responsibility for complete horse care whilst away from the yard; included attending the European Championships.

· Monthly visits with Laura to her trainer in Switzerland and Germany.

· Riding, training and developing young horses.

It was here Leanne fell in love with Dressage and learnt how to train horses  through the levels.

Leanne has gone on to train horses of her own  through the levels to Inter 1 and became a BD listed judge and coach where she continues to gain training and development in dressage.