Debbie Leeks

  Deborah Leeks has always been involved with horses and ponies from an early age, while at school Deborah was a member of the Pony Club and on all the teams.

From school Deborah knew that horse’s were the direction she wanted to take so persuaded her parents to let her have an interview and assessment to go through to an interview at Catherston Stud to become a pupil there. After a successful pre-interview Deborah found herself sitting in the snug of Jennie-Lorriston Clarke sharing her opinions of Jennies Grand Prix Kur which she performed in the Seoul Olympics the previous year.

While at Catherston Deborah gained a wealth of experience in riding Grand Prix movements, organising Grand Prix competitions, riding the stallions on the annual viewing days. Handling of the young stock, assisting with coverings, foaling, orphan foals, surrogate mares breaking and riding on.

After two amazing years at Catherston where her relationship with Jennie went from strength to strength, being allowed to exercise the Grand Prix stallions, having lessons with Jennie and helping her create her next Kur. Leaving Catherston was a hard thing to do, but Deborah knew she needed a more varied experience to be able to help all kinds of horses and ponies, when she finally went freelance.

Working in show jumping, hunting and livery yards were where Deborah spent the next few years gaining as much experience as possible. Finally after having her own training and livery yard, Deborah relocated to her parents private yard in Shropshire.

 After being spotted by Andrew Day, Senior Biomechanics Lecturer at the Training the Teachers of Tomorrow Trust, enthralled  by what Andrew had to say about the Trust and how he felt that it was exactly how Deborah wanted to train her horses, she joined the Trust  in 1994 and couldn’t stay away. The Trust is for anyone that has a passion for the correct and safe development of their Dressage horse which Deborah is still passionate about more so now than ever.

For 16 years Deborah has been a member of the ‘Training the Teachers of Tomorrow trust’ (TTT). With over 1,000 members consisting of Judges, Riders, Trainers and people that have a passion for the correct training and development of the Dressage Horse.

Formerly one of 8 selected Instructor members of the Trust Deborah has had the opportunity of intensive training under the guidance of international trainers such as Charles De Kunffy, Arthur Kottas, Steven Clarke, Klaus Balkenhol, Hervig Radnetter and Andrew Murphy. Deborah is still a passionate member of the Trust and takes every opportunity that her busy diary allows to go down to Surrey to train.

Deborah, has had many successes with her own and clients horses from Riding Club championships (72% riding a Welsh section C ) to Winter Semi Finals, Regional’s and wins at breed shows.

Currently Deborah is gently producing her pony stallion Star Of Orion who will begin his Affiliated dressage career in 2012 so keep your eyes open for the Fly Away logod saddle cloth.  In the background she is training her homebred 4 year old gelding Rubin Star ( who has continued to grow to 17.2hh so when the right home comes along he will probably be sold).

Find out more about Debbie at www.fun2dressage.com.

All the best for the year from Team Fly Away.