CRYSTAL LEBLANC - BIOGRAPHY

Atkinson Riding Academy is managed by Crystal LeBlanc, who was raised on Derby Talk Farm, a thoroughbred training facility sanctioned with Rockingham Park and Suffolk Downs. Starting at age two, Crystal’s grandfather, Merle Ashford, began teaching her the art of riding horses from off the race track and bought at auction. As a child she continued to learn from her grandfather, and she took informal lessons from the track jockeys to develop a balanced seat.

Crystal continued her equestrian training with formal lessons in classical dressage with various German techniques. She attended the Portugese Riding Academy, L’escola De Equitaco De Alcainca in Alcainca, Portugal, a premiere center for equestrian art, studying with the masters of classical dressage. Always a student of the horse, she has studied with Gail Harrington, her personal mentor and owner of Black Magic Farm, Jane Savoie, Janet Briggs, Vetor Silva, Jean Luc Cornitte, Sara Hamilton, Bob Jefferys, Suzanne Shepards, and Bev Barney.

A graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor in Animal and Equine Science, Crystal has formally studied colt training, horsemanship, equine diseases, equine sports medicine, facility management, and therapeutic riding. She previously managed Bright Star Farm in Danville, NH, where Crystal rejuvenated and supervised the entire facility. At Bright Star Farm, Crystal was responsible for growing the lesson program, starting a summer camp program for youth riders, expanding the show schedule, and revitalizing the training programs.

Crystal has extensive experience in starting young horses of a variety breeds including Friesians, Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, Tennessee Walking Horses, Appaloosas, Warm Bloods, and ponies. She has a calm, patient, and firm manner with horses to produce excellent training results for the horse and rider team.