Leslie is a USHJA Certified instructor who has been teaching horseback riding lessons to children and adults for over 35 years. As a child she was a member of Glastonbury Pony Club. She graduated the UCONN animal science program and then owned and operated Ansala Farms, a breeding and training farm where she taught riding lessons in Andover, CT for 18 years. She spent 12 years building and managing the riding program and schooling the green horses at Kingsley Farm in Coventry, CT with Dee Dee Hopper. She was with Full Circle Farm in Manchester, CT from 2010 to early 2015 where she built the riding program and initiated and coached the successful IEA Show team. She now teaches out of Hunters Run Stables in Glastonbury and Meadowbrook Farm in Lebanon. Her instruction in equitation and hunters is based on the classic principles of George Morris and Bernie Traurig as well as other great masters who teach that position is always the first building block in a rider and only from proper position and balance do softness and feel develop. In addition good horsemanship produces a happy, comfortable horse which will always be the best and most willing partner. She strives to create proficient students in and out of the show ring focusing on safety and horsemanship as well as form and function. From nurturing a first time beginner rider or young horse, to coaching them to their first blue ribbon and championship she instills a sense of responsibility and passion for all aspects of riding and horse care. Her students have achieved Finals wins and year-end awards at many levels. She brings her diverse equine background to her students.