About Leslie deGrandmaison

Leslie de Grandmaison has ridden and trained horses for well over 30 years. She brings a rich knowledge of horsemanship and training from several key mentors who where her guides in the pursuit of classical dressage. Beginning this journey, Leslie attended the Fulmer School of Equitation in Fulmer England. There she studied under the tutelage of Robert N. Hall, F.B.H.S. and British Olympic Event team coach, and his wife Johanna Hall, 3 times Olympian for the British Dressage team.

Leslie riding cross country on Snip.

Leslie competing in stadium jumping on Snip.

Under these two dressage masters, who both trained at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Leslie began her quest to become an accomplished rider and trainer. During this time in the late 70’s, Leslie earned her British Horse Society Assistant Instructor Certification and returned to the United States to begin her college studies.

Three years into Leslie’s college program, she was offered an opportunity to train and manage a stallion program outside of Mexico City, Mexico. She spent two years training and competing with several stallions from Poland, Holland, and Sweden in the disciplines of dressage and eventing. She was responsible for the training, supervision and breeding of all the stallions in the program. During this time, Leslie helped to host training and teaching visits from Robert N. Hall and Major Hector Carmona, founder of Los Alamos Dressage Center, former Olympian and USET Olympic dressage coach. This tremendous cultural and equestrian experience added more depth of knowledge in all aspects of horsemanship. She deeply cherishes her friends and memories from those days.

Leslie competing with Montana Tales
to High Score Award at Dana Hill.

Leslie’s commitment to finishing her college studies brought her home to New England. She completed her Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree and pursued more traditional employment while continuing to follow her equestrian goals. Her main focus at this time was eventing with her horses Snip and Putnam. With coaching from Denny Emerson, Leslie competed successfully up to Preliminary level.

Eager for any opportunity to expand her equestrian knowledge, Leslie rode in clinics with Volker Moritz, O Level Judge, Kathy Connelly, 1989 National Grand Prix Champion and S Judge, and Hubert Rohrer, former senior rider at the Spanish Riding School under Podhajsky and FEI Level judge. These clinics ignited Leslie‘s strong desire to continue her classical path in dressage and to learn from the best. In 1993, Leslie started working on a regular basis with Joy Congdon at Apple Valley Farm, later earning her USDF Bronze medal on Putnam. She also began taking supplemental lessons with Kathy Connelly, an international rider, trainer and coach as well as S level judge. Kathy trained extensively with Herbert Rehbein and with Ernst Bachinger Head of the Spanish Riding school and 20-year rider.

Frenk Jespers, Leslie and Pamela

Leslie owes much of her knowledge of the upper levels and in-hand work to Joy and Kathy. In 2002, Kathy welcomed Leslie into her training system and became her mentor. Leslie has enjoyed a close personal and professional relationship with both Kathy and Joy, and has worked with them on several horses at the FEI levels. This on-going system of training and experience gives Leslie added support and development. Leslie trained primarily with Apple Valley for more than 15 years and continues to compete on a regular basis. Leslie provides instruction and training in New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts, and teaches clinics througout New England and Connecticut.

Leslie continues to ride, audit and attend clinics as she continues to strive for perfection and education. She regularly attends clinics and symposiums sponsored by the USDF and USEF to keep her teaching and training fresh. In 2008, Leslie rode Mary Compton’s Dutch mare Pamela, in the NEDA-sponsored Frenk Jespers clinic. In the fall of 2008 Leslie was selected to ride Don Toroo, 4 year old Hanoverian gelding owned by Shannon and Ron Hendrix, in the NEDA-sponsored Debbie McDonald Symposium.

Leslie and Don Toroo at the Debbie McDonald Symposium in 2008

A short List of Leslie’s achievements:

• USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist
• USEF Licensed Dressage Judge “r”
• B.H.S.A.I.
• USDF All Breeds Awards
• Bachelor of Liberal Art degree
• Regular Participant in NEDA Symposiums
• 2002 and 2016 NEDA Scholarship Recipient

Recent Accomplishments:

• 2009 NEDA Reserve Champion 3rd Level Open
• 2010 Demo rider at the NEDA Spring Symposium
• Participant in Heike Hemmer clinic (2004 Athens Gold Medal Team, 2008 Hong Kong Gold Medal Team, Bronze medal Individual)
• Participant in Robert Orton 5 Day Clinic

Recently, Leslie has returned to eventing at the lower levels, earning wins on her long time partner Jaguar at the Mystic Valley Hunt Club in Connecticut and at the University of New Hampshire in 2008. She continues this tie with eventing world, coaching many event riders in additional to her dressage students.

Leslie’s belief in kind and systematic training of both horse and rider produces results. Her positive approach of teaching and training, give the horse and rider confidence in their skills and work. Leslie places strong emphasis on correct rider position and appropriate advancement for both horse and rider for both horse and rider. Her balanced and progressive style creates happy and healthy horses that willingly work for their riders.

Leslie currently loves working with a variety of equine breeds. Her event and dressage clients ride a wide array of horses from Swedish and Dutch Warm bloods to Friesians, Quarter Horses, Morgans and Thoroughbreds, and span many levels.

Leslie riding Major, KWPN Dutch Warmblood gelding, in Wellington, Florida.