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Horse Show
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But Leone's career is not limited to being in the saddle; he is a respected international coach and member of the United States Equestrian Team. It doesn't stop there, there are many facets to Leone. This all-around horseman is also a leading trainer, clinician, and owner of the successful show stable Lionshare Farm in Greenwich, CT where he lives with his wife Marcella and two children, daughter Callie and son Peter. Sidelines: Everyone knows you as an Olympian and international Grand Prix winner, but there is much more to you than meets the eye. Fill us in on what has been happening since you rode Crown Royal Legato to the Silver Medal in Atlanta in 1996. PL: I have remained extremely active riding for the US Team, and achieved a personal goal of riding anchor and delivering double clear rounds, for many of our Nation's Cup Teams from 1997 through 1999. I competed internationally for the US Team since 1979. It was always school and riding, or working in business and riding at the same time, remaining an amateur. On my birthday, August 1 in 1994, I turned professional. It was that day I started Lionshare Farm and exactly two years later to the day, I contributed to our Team Silver Medal in the Atlanta Games, and yes, it really was on my birthday! Sidelines: That would seem the pinnacle in an athlete's career, and in fact, most riders get better as they gain experience. So what did you do next? PL: Since Atlanta I have gone full circle, from owning a medium sized show barn, to a 70-horse operation, back to a very rewarding, hands on 36-horse show stable. I have been fortunate, and many thanks to my sponsors including Nutrena Feed, SmartPak Equine, CWD Sellier, Agriventures and Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, who have helped enable me compete with at least one top horse at all times. This allows me to do what I love to do best - show and win. There have been many national and international victories that I am very proud of since Atlanta, both here and oversees. This year has been going well, winning the Tournament of Champions Grand Prix in Ottawa, Canada and just recently the Mohegan Sun Derby at the Fidelity Jumper Classic aboard the 7-year-old French bred Nerval de la Batia, owned by the Beaupre Group LLC. Sidelines: You always need one "star" jumper. Do you think Nerval de la Batia might be your next one? PL: Yes, along with the 9-year-old stallion Candide, owned by the Haphco LLC. Nerval is similar to my Olympic mount Legato as a young horse - huge scope and stride, great character, and ride-able. Candide won a strong Grand Prix in Ottawa this summer, and he is similar to a horse I used to ride name Lataro - typy, fast and careful. I am very excited to see where these two horses go this season. Hopefully they will be the number 2 and 3 horse, behind an experienced Super League horse I have been asked to ride named Sequoyah Farms' Utopia. She is owned by GK Performance Horses at Sequoyah Farms in Andersonville, TN. I cannot put into words how grateful I am to be in the irons again on a legitimate 1.60m horse 2009 should be a blast! Sidelines: With nearly a lifetime in the saddle, can you pinpoint your most memorable moment, or favorite mount? PL: Riding with and competing at International Championships with my brothers' Armand and Mark are definitely most treasured memories. We not only grew up together, we "grew" together into "Team Leone," riders that the US Coaches, including DeNemethy, Chapot and Morris, could count on. To name my favorite horse would be like asking which is my favorite child! I have been blessed with amazing horses including Ardennes, Let's Go, Threes and Sevens, Oxo, Semi Pro, and Vautrait to name just a few. But if I had to name just one, well, I'd have to say Legato. Sidelines: You aren't just a top international rider. You are known as a leading trainer, coach, clinician and overall horseman. What do you enjoy the most? PL: I really enjoy working with Developing Riders who will be our horsemen of the future. Over the past few years I have begun coaching riders on the international level. Since 2000, I have not had a legitimate 1.60m horse for myself, and it has been frustrating! Working with riders at this level, I must say, it makes me feel alive. I love helping the US Team win, as a rider or as a coach. I have also been developing young horses, coaching and guiding developing riders, studying the sport, identifying what type of horses are most successful and what riding skills are needed to win. Of course, I'm always rooting for the US Team. I love show jumping and yes, I am arguably obsessed with the sport. I love when our riders win internationally, raise the red white and blue flag in center ring. I have devoted my life to figuring out how to win both nationally and internationally. You have to find a way to be the fastest, know how to go clean even when things aren't going quite right. You have got to know yourself and your horse so well that you can find a way to "get it done." I truly enjoy sharing what I have learned and experienced with the up and coming talent that want the same thing I do! I coach, train and/or advice some international riders and a number of young developing riders. I value being available to James Benedetto, who won a spot on the Developing Riders Tour this past summer, and lead the Team to a Nation's Cup win in Slovenia. He capped off his season as a member the US Super League Final Team in Barcelona. As patriotic as I am, I am also proud to train and guide Canadian up and coming show jumping star Amanda Knowles. This past year, Amanda tasted international competition in Poland, Germany, and Slovenia at the young age of 17. More importantly, she was consistently competitive and successful in her efforts. Sidelines: You are very busy, so you have back-up at Lionshare Farm with professional Courtney McKay. Tell us how you and she keep things running "on course" so to speak. PL: Courtney McKay is one of the most talented riders and professionals I have ever known, a product of Bob Braswell and Christina Schlusmeyer. Courtney teaches even better than she rides, and I am lucky to have her heading up my equitation and hunter programs at Lionshare Farm. Courtney's innate feel for the horse, and how to guide them around the challenging courses of today, is magical. Even more important is her passion and ability to teach aspiring juniors to succeed over today's most difficult equitation tests at top shows. She is great with the pony kids, juniors and amateurs as well. We work as a team really. She coaches and rides everything that I do, and I coach and ride all the horses that are categorically in her area. We learn from each other every day, have regular discussions about our students and their mounts. We talk about each of their strengths and weaknesses, which make each of us better at doing our jobs. In the end, it is our students that benefit from the partnership. Sidelines: So, what should we be looking for from Peter Leone and the Lionshare Farm crew in 2009? PL: We will be in Wellington in 2009. Typically, Courtney will cover the equitation, hunter and lower level jumping rings, and I will cover the two bigger ones. That being said, I will be a regular fixture at the Medal, Maclay, and USET classes, and Courtney will be no stranger to the Grand Prix and DeNemethy arenas. Hopefully, everyone will be successful and be bringing back the ribbons. If I had to say whom to watch, I'd suggest keeping your eyes on some of my riders like Matti Fisher, Amanda Knowles, Emma Schauder, Sydney Schulman and Halle Fogel. There may be more We'll have to see how it goes. For 2009, my goal as a rider is to be successful in the Big Ring, and do well enough to contribute to the horse and rider depth our country has to choose from for the upcoming World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Of course, I'd love one of my juniors to win an Equitation Finals, and I want to help some of our young riders make the transition to the international level. Oh yes, then I have to finish writing my first book I have a lot of work this coming year! | ||
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