Leah Khorsandian is well schooled in classical dressage and believes it is the basis for all riding, both for flatwork and jumping. She believes in training both horse and rider to happily and harmoniously achieve their potential and goals.
Since the fall of 2007, Leah has been training with Jonathan and Jennifer Holling of Ocala, FL. Jon has been short listed for the U.S. eventing team a number of times. In the spring of 2006 Leah started clinicing on a regular basis with Bo Jena. Bo is one of the head trainers at Flyinge, Sweden's National Stud. He is an "I", International, dressage judge and as of 2008 the Olympic dressage coach for Sweden. 2001 - 2006 Leah trained with Peter Gray, a two time Olympian and the Canadian coach of the 1996 Olympic Eventing team in Ocala, Florida and Ontario, Canada. She has ridden in clinics with Jimmy Wofford, Ralph Hill, Lloma Fowler, and Greg Best. Leah has also spent many summers as a working student for many different trainers.
Leah earned her H-A national rating in the United States Pony Club in 2003. Also in 2003 Leah received the fourth place Young Rider's Year End Award at the Preliminary level with her horse Mr. McCarthy. She was a member of the Area III North American Young Riders for eight years. In 2001, she participated in the North American Young Riders Championships in Illinois on the CCI* team.
Leah is currently showing two horses. Her first horse is Pamiro W. Will, as we like to call him is a 11 yr. old, Canadian Sporthorse, gelding that was purchased in April of 2005. Will was started poorly so Leah has retrained him and is currently competing at the Intermediate level in combined training and Third level in dressage. Will had a strong 5th place finish at the Florida International CCI* event in November '08. Leah and Will also were the 2nd highest placed team at the Preliminary level in all of Area III in 2008. We are excited about his future.
Leah's other competition horse is Kildalton's Pride, owned by Diane Springford. Known to us as Shaw, he is a 10 yr. old, Irish Sporthorse, gelding. Diane has owned Shaw since he was a yearling and initially started him as a hunter. Shaw's Irish sense of humor grew bored with the hunter ring and Diane sent him to Leah from Wyoming for training.
Since Shaw has been with Leah he began his combined training career and much needed dressage work with lots of suppling and strengthening exercises. He is now competing at Training Level in combined training and Second level in dressage. November of '09 Shaw finished 4th at the Training Level 3 Day event at Rocking Horse Stables.
Leah also competed many of her client's horses to further their education and confidence. Check out the calendar page for updates on all the competition results.
Leah has also started many young horses as well as retrained many horses from all different backgrounds of training and riding. She has taken a number of horses off the track, retrained them, and given them second lives.
Leah has had experience teaching beginning riders of all ages as well as intermediate and advanced riders. She began teaching in the U.S. Pony Club but currently has mostly adult students under her training. Leah graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology from The University of South Florida in 2005. She uses her knowledge in psychology to teach the principles of riding, motivate students, and increase confidence.
Leah's personal goals include competing at the highest levels in Combined Training and being selected to represent the United States Equestrian Team.
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