Leesa earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Michigan State University and served as coordinator for the Michigan Horse Show Judges Program as well as being honored with the prestigious Dodge-Miner award for outstanding judge. The judging teams coached by Leesa won the state championship as well as several national titles. Leesa has also taught numerous courses in equine management and riding at three different colleges. As a graduate of the 4-H Horse Program she remains a loyal devoted fan. Leesa purchased the stable where she was introduced to riding when she was 7 years old, at that time it was know as Kisor Farm and later as Willowpond Stables, it has now been completely renovated and now bears the name “Massman Stables” in Mason, Michigan. A large 60 horse operation with numerous instructors and two large indoor arenas.
Biography of Master Coach/Strategist Leesa Massman
“A lifetime of creating simple solutions for success”
What could be better than having the ability to create the kind of ride you want from your horse or in fact most any horse that you happen to have the opportunity to ride? To be able to create any level of forward, relaxation, frame and responsiveness at will is the goal of the Massman program. While this sounds difficult and intense the exact opposite is true. It can be fun and relaxing for you and your horse. Leesa’s system has proven itself successful over and over in everything from trainers riding to an open national championship to 10 & under walk/trot riders who train their own horses and were able to earn national honors. And of course the joy of non-competitive riders discovering that they indeed have a level of control they never thought possible is a huge thrill. A contributing writer for the famous “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books included a tribute to Leesa Massman and honored her as the April 2001 “Spirit Whisperer”, a person who can motivate another person’s spirit to sore to it highest level and achieve their personal best.
For 40 years of her life Leesa has devoted herself to understanding horses and their relationship with the people who love them. Her ability to effectively transform complex maneuvers and concepts into simplistic moves that riders can indeed execute has been the back bone of her success as an instructor. All breeds of horses and all styles of riding are truly appreciated by Leesa. . Her most well known successes are that of her students accomplishments in the showring. Leesa’s coaching career includes over 300 national winners, 80 World or National Championships, 9 times high point team at the World Largest All Breed Youth Show, high point saddle winner at the Pinto Nationals 2 consecutive years, Coach for the Michigan State University for nearly a decade, single handedly acting as coach for the 150+ members of the Stock Seat, Hunt Seat, Dressage and Saddle Seat Teams. MSU riders held the Cacchione Cup (high point open hunt seat rider flat and over fences for Intercollegiate competition) for 7 of the 8 years she acted as the Michigan State University Coach. The inspiration of the Massman program results in numerous students who have gone to be highly successful as professional horsemen and a majority of students report that their life skills in many non horse related areas have been vastly improved as a result of this program..
