Leslie O'Neal Olsen
USEF 'R' Judge USDF Silver & Bronze medalist
Instructor, Trainer & Clinics through Grand Prix
Dressage Simply Southern
Willowbrook Equestrian Center
395 Powell Chapel Road Villa Rica GA 30180 (770)459-1417
Copyright © 2006-2012 Leslie O'Neal Olsen. All rights reserved.
Photo Gallery
Leslie teaching at the Rocky Mountain Dressage Adult Amateur Clinic, May 8-10, 2009. Freedom Farms, Parker Colorado. Special thanks Lori Mitchell. Photos by Susan DeSylvia.
Willowbrook Equestrian Center hosted two local chapters of The United States Pony Club for a day of riding and learning on March 8, 2009. Seventeen members, ages 7-16, from Pine Trace Pony Club and Woodbine Pony Club participated in this event.
Leslie O’Neal Olsen started the day off by teaching the Pony Clubbers a Dressage lesson.
The second activity of the day was a jumping lesson with Anne Turk.
After their riding lessons, the Pony Clubbers attended horse management talks which were lead by local equine professionals who graciously volunteered their time and effort. Saskia Wurche, a well respected rider and breeder from Turin, taught braiding of the mane and tail. Angela Robinson, a previous Pony Clubber from Marietta, lead a discussion on horse breeds, colors, ages, markings and conformation, in addition to performing a required pre-ride saddle check.
David Qualls, a farrier from Tyrone, taught the anatomy of the hoof and leg, the names of common horseshoes and tools, and how to pick up a horse’s foot safely. Leigh Slater of Douglasville and Corina Graves of Tyrone, both certified equine massage therapists, lead an interactive lesson on basic massage and stretching techniques. Francisco Negri, a polo player from Colorado State University, taught how to identify and use 13 different types of bits (mouthpieces) and showcased his polo equipment.
Additionally, Christopher Olsen, a successful Team Roper, demonstrated how to rope and executed sliding stops on a horse he recently started. Leslie Olsen performed a pattern to music, which was choreographed by Anne Turk, on her imported Dutch Warmblood horse Phantem, half brother to Olympic horse Ferro. Franciso Negri then showed us how to play polo and explained the rules of the game. The event was organized by Willowbrook barn manager Karen Mackay and coordinator Rebekah Turk.
Leslie and Fengal