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. For the past five years Leah has trained with Peter Gray, a two time Olympian and the Canadian coach of the 1996 Olympic team in Ocala, Florida and Ontario, Canada. She has ridden in clinics with Jimmy Wofford, Ralph Hill, Bo Jena, 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. He is a 9 yr. old, Canadian Sporthorse, gelding that was purchased in April of 2005. Pamiro W. was started poorly so Leah has retrained him and is currently competing at the Preliminary level in combined training and Second level in dressage.
Leah's other competition horse is Chant de Destin. He is a 6 yr. old, Holsteiner X by the stallion Chant de Paix. Leah started this horse for the owners and after being in training for 4 months, Citrus Oaks Farm purchased him. He is competing at the Training level in combined training and First level in dressage. He is a very bold horse but Leah plans to take it slow with him until he finishes growing.
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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