Leigh Ashby-Kostmayer

I have been riding since before I could walk. Horses were never a hobby I picked up, they were simply always there, shaping my mornings, my weekends, and eventually my whole life. That early start turned into years in the show ring, competing in hunters, jumpers, and equitation all the way through the Grand Prix level.

Somewhere in there I also built a life off the horse. I earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Management with a collateral in Finance from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and it quietly shaped how I run a barn today; organized, transparent, and with a real plan for every horse and rider in the program.

I spent three years with Select Sport Horses under Brandon Gibson, a program of more than thirty horses and fifteen clients spanning sales, breeding, and hosting shows. From there I spent a year with FEI top-50 rider Kristen Vanderveen, managing sale and client horses both nationally and internationally. That work sharpened my eye for soundness, for suitability, and for the small details that separate a good horse from the right horse.

Most recently I spent a year and a half at Free Ride Equestrian, developing young riders from their very first lunge-line trot lessons all the way through wins at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.

“Watching someone become capable of something they once thought was impossible is one of my favorite things about this sport.”

I've spent my entire life in this world. I've experienced the elite side of it, the business side of it, the hard side of it, and the competitive side of it. And through all of those experiences, one thing has never changed: I believe the most meaningful part of horses is the relationship you build with them. It's the trust that develops over time. It's learning to understand each other, figuring things out together, and discovering how much you can accomplish as a team. It's watching a young horse develop, watching a rider gain confidence, and seeing both horse and rider become better because of the partnership they've built. That is why Ashby Equestrian exists.

High-level horsemanship. Approachable training. A place for everyone who loves horses. I have worked at a very high level, but I don't believe you have to be a Grand Prix rider to deserve excellent instruction. We take the horses seriously, we take the work seriously, and we hold ourselves to a real standard of care.

“But there's one thing I don't want to lose along the way: The joy.”

Whether your goal is getting through your first riding lesson, becoming a confident horse owner, stepping into the show ring, developing a young horse, or competing at the highest levels, I believe you deserve thoughtful training, good horsemanship and a program that meets you where you are.