Leslie McDonald is a USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist who owns and operates Full Cry Farm Dressage Center in Batavia, Ohio. She has over 40 years professional teaching experience, resulting in numerous national and breed association awards. She has trained and successfully competed 4 horses to the Grand Prix level. In 2008, she will compete Rasir, a 16 year old Swedish Warmblood gelding, at Grand Prix and Dauntless, an 8 year old Swedish Warmblood gelding, in the USEF Developing Horse division.

She enjoys working with all levels of riders, particularly those new to dressage, helping them to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to attain their full potential and that of their horses. The principle influences on her training philosophies are the result of work with: Anders Lindgren, Linda Zang, Uwe Steiner, Christilot Boylen, Tom Dvorak, Michael Poulin, and Natalie Lamping.

Leslie's diversified equestrian background includes showing "A" circuit hunters and jumpers, eventing through the preliminary level, fox hunting, and point-to-point racing. From 1972-1982, she held an AHSA "r" judges’ card for hunters, jumpers and hunt seat equitation.

Her varied background also includes competitive figure skating which led to a 10 year career coaching upcoming competitive figure skaters. In addition, she is a published author. Her most recent book is Making Magic: Breeding and Birthing a Healthy Foal, published by Half Halt Press. In 1980, she also developed, produced and managed for 15 years the highly successful all-breed industry trade show, the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, Wisconsin.