Shelby Leonard shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Shelby, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
This summer, I’ve been really proud of my riding students. Three of them have made the jump from beginner shows to competing in rated shows—an exciting and sometimes intimidating step, but they’ve handled amazing! They all have competed in classes with over eleven horses and brought home four first-place ribbons, a championship, and even two regional titles!
Two of these girls are 15, and they’ve been riding with me since they were 11. The third is living her childhood dream as an adult—she bought her first horse last fall and has been working hard to improve and compete. Seeing their progress and confidence grow has been so rewarding.
It’s been a fantastic summer, and I couldn’t be prouder of all they’ve accomplished!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Shelby Leonard, and I started my business, Above Level Training Center, when I was 19 years old. Above Level Training is a premier Arabian Horse Training Facility, and I also offer English riding lessons for riders of all levels. One of my true passions is competition—I’ve been competing at higher levels since I was 7 years old—and I love helping others learn the ropes so they can experience the thrill of showing.
What makes my program special is the vibrant, loving group of people I work with. The owners and riders at the barn are like a second family. I genuinely enjoy sharing my passion for the Arabian horse.
In my lesson program, I have five Arabians, and I take pride in teaching beginners as young as 4 years old on them. Whether someone is just starting out or aiming to compete, I love guiding them through their journey and sharing the magic of these incredible animals.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My parents. They have always been my biggest supporters and recognized my natural connection with horses from a young age. My business is located at their facility, and they’ve played a huge role in helping me build my dream. Their support and guidance have allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, giving me the foundation I needed to pursue my passion and strive for success in this industry.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me perseverance—something success alone doesn’t really teach you. It’s about sticking with it, even when things get tough, and learning to keep going no matter what. Those tough times made me stronger and more determined, and honestly, that perseverance is what’s helped me get through and keep pushing forward toward my goals.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies our industry tells itself is that the elite’s money will keep the horse competitions functioning. In reality, it’s passion that keeps these shows alive. It’s people like me—growing up, working hard, and making sacrifices as teenagers just to be there and compete. We also have to consider all the adults that sacrifice their time and volunteer to keep these competitions going. It’s the love for the horses that truly drives it, not just flaunting absurd amounts of money.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Definitely what I was born to do. Horses have been my calling for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I’d skip sports and social activities just to be at the barn. My mom’s love for horses and my dad being a farrier just kind of made it all fall into place naturally. It’s been a passion of mine from the start, and I truly believe this is what I was meant to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aboveleveltraining.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/above.level.training/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/above.level.training/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGC2YmvZxQvTGKnv_LJyJRA/about
- Other: TIKTOK
https://www.tiktok.com/@aboveleveltraining
Image Credits
Ferrara Photography
Hannah Draughen Photography
HJ Photography
