Leslie Potter

Editor, writer, and photographer based in the bluegrass state. www.lesliepotterphoto.com

Published Articles

US Equestrian •

Lusitanos Perform in Prancing with the Stars to Benefit the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s

On April 13, 2024, Daniela Siberio will welcome the public to her farm, Lusitano Masters, in Loxahatchee, Fla., for an afternoon of dressage for a good cause. Prancing with the Stars of Dressage will raise funds for the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Palm Beach. The centerpiece of the event will be freestyle dressage performed by Siberio and her Lusitanos, but there will be plenty of additional fun for everyone.
US Equestrian •

Looking Back at the 2023 Pan American Games with Anna Marek and Kerri Short

When U.S. dressage athlete Anna Marek returned from the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, she came home with valuable experience, a strengthened partnership with her horse Fire Fly, and some hardware—team gold and individual bronze.

“This was my first major championship experience,” said Marek. “I’ve been on two Nations Cup teams, but both were in Wellington, so the Pan Ams were the first major championship on a senior team that I’ve done.”
US Equestrian •

Coaching for the Team: How a U.S. Dressage Senior Team Member Coaches NAYC Athletes

Athletes and coaches who have been to the FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) often point to the exposure to international team competition as one of the primary benefits of the experience. With limited opportunities for equestrian athletes in the western hemisphere to compete on a team before reaching the senior levels of the sport, NAYC serves as an important steppingstone for young athletes with international aspirations.
US Equestrian •

How Young Riders From the Benestar Ranch Fundraised Their Way to Grand National Dreams

At the 2023 International Friesian Horse Show Association (IFSHA) Grand National, there was a group of young riders who stood out. They could be seen competing in-hand and under saddle, supporting each other on the rail and sharing enthusiastic hugs in the warm-up ring after a successful class, even when they were competing against each other. None of these youth equestrians had competed at this level before, and their inspiring journey to the championship was the talk of the show.
US Equestrian •

Reflecting on the FEI World Cup™ Finals with Debbie McDonald

The 2023 FEI World Cup Finals are set to take place in Omaha, Neb., returning to the United States 20 years after the first-ever win by an American dressage athlete. In 2003, Debbie McDonald and Brentina, the 1991 Hanoverian mare owned by Parry and Peggy Thomas, earned the World Cup Final victory in Göteborg, Sweden. Two years later, they had another podium finish when they won third place at the 2005 FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, Nev., thanks in part to their electric musical freestyle per
US Equestrian •

Nations Cups and European Outings: How Jumping and Eventing Athletes Move Up the Development Pathway

For athletes with aspirations to compete at the elite level, there is a long path from competing at the national level to representing the U.S. at international championships. The USEF development pathways for each FEI discipline help bring promising athletes along each step of the way, ensuring the best chance at success.

In spring of 2022, developing teams in eventing and jumping both had important outings in Europe. On the jumping side, a team of young athletes competed at CSIO3* FEI Jumping
Horse Illustrated Magazine •

Is Halloween candy safe for horses?

With Halloween happening this week, you’ve undoubtedly got some extra candy in your pantry, sitting in the break room at your office, or maybe even in your tack room. Maybe you’ve thought about sharing the caloric wealth with your equine best friend, but is Halloween candy safe for horses?

“Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is potentially toxic for horses,” says Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D., an independent equine nutritionist and consultant. “The darker the chocolate, the more theo...
Young Rider Magazine •

Meet Oliver the Police Horse

If you’ve been to BreyerFest in the past four years, you may have already met Oliver. The handsome black-and-white pinto has been on patrol with the Kentucky Horse Park’s mounted police unit since 2014.

Oliver is half Shire, one-quarter Thoroughbred and one-quarter Paint. His flashy black-and-white coat pattern makes him stand out in a crowd, which was a problem early in his career.

“The police departments wanted solid colors at that time,” says Capt. Rakes. “Everyone wanted black or dark bay.
Chewy.com •

10 Essentials to Pack When Taking Your Horse Trail Riding

Trail riding is one of the most fun activities you can do with your horse. It can be a relaxing break from schooling in the arena, whether you go for a short jaunt through the woods nearby or out to the mountains for an overnight equestrian adventure. Preparation is key to enjoying an hour, a day or a weekend on the trail. For starters, you and your horse need to be physically and mentally fit for the task. You’ll also need to pack the appropriate gear for the length of your ride. “Even if you’r
Young Rider Magazine •

On the Trail with Morgan Horses

Morgan horses are known for being friendly, people-pleasing horses. They’re like the Golden Retrievers of the equine world. And what could be better than spending hours on the trail with your four-legged best friend? Christopher and Morgan Loomis are young riders who compete in endurance rides with their Morgans. In the sport of endurance, horse-and-rider teams complete a ride of anywhere from 25 to 100 miles in a single day! It takes a strong, athletic horse (and rider) to tackle endurance ridi...
Young Rider Magazine •

Equine Entrepreneurs: Pony Style

If you love to show off your equestrian style both in and out of the barn, you’ll appreciate the T-shirts and hats created by a trio of young riders for their business, American Pony Outfitters. APO’s products feature unique horse-themed designs with fun graphics and slogans. They’re designed to be comfortable for wearing in the saddle and around the barn, as well as in everyday life.Lucy’s favorite design is the camo pony T-shirt. Libby’s sports the words, “Now watch me whip/Watch me neigh neigh...
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