Leslie Hernandez

Background: From the time Leslie could talk, she was the typical “horse-crazy girl.” Through the years of elementary through high schools  competed successfully in 4-H and Open Horse Shows as a Western rider. She rode countless hours on different breeds ranging from Arabians and Quarter Horses to Missouri Fox Trotters and Tennessee Walkers. She owned two horses, CA Baskora, a Polish Arabian, and KhemosLady Flicka, a National Show Horse.During times without her own horse, she borrowed steeds from friends in the area.

Leslie graduated from high school having served three years as President of the Horse Club, including organizing two horse camps, numerous field trips, and miles of trail rides. She also competed in Horse Judging competitions for 4-H and FFA successfully judging at the Kentucky State Level for 4 years.

After spending the summer working on a Belgian Draft Horse Farm, Leslie enrolled in Midway College to spend the next two years refining her horsemanship. She took classes in hunt seat including jumping and theory, stock seat and reining, and dressage. She also spent both years as a Student Barn Manager honing her horse care techniques. At the time, the Gayla Driving Center decided to lease Fredrick the Norwegian Fjord to Midway. When Leslie saw Freddie across that snowy paddock, it was love at first sight. Through Freddie, Leslie met Debbie Banfield and began her romance with the world of carriage driving.

Leslie began at the Gayla Driving Center in March of 1999. She worked part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer. She transferred to Georgetown College, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a minor in Religion. She met her husband Jose through the Gayla, so it was only fitting that they were married on the grounds!

In the 2003-2004 show seasons, Leslie was privileged to compete in combined driving with a Connemara pony, Moxley Hall, owned by Cindy Goff of Lexington, KY. She drove “Moxy” at the Training and the Preliminary Levels in several CDEs. Leslie was also granted the opportunity to drive Kay Dale’s Morgan horse, Firewheel HatTrick in two Training level CDEs. She loves the thrill and experience of competition, whether as a navigator or driver and is extremely grateful to have these opportunities. She looks forward to more combined driving events the coming season and every one to follow!

Leslie has also driven successfully in Pleasure driving. She has competed multiple times at the Kentucky Gayla Carriage Classic. Leslie believes that the tradition and timeless beauty of Pleasure Showing is important to uphold, even as the sport of Combined Driving is beginning to grow.

Trainer: Leslie's career in training began when she purchased her second horse, KhemosLady Flicka, a three-year-old filly. She broke her to ride, longline, lounge and work at liberty. Leslie gained experience working with many different horses both while in high school and as a student at Midway. She began to get a feel for training driving horses as she assisted Debbie at the Gayla Driving Center. Now, assisting her husband Jose, she enjoys “polishing-up” the horses when they have finished their basic training. Leslie's philosophy is that every time you work with an animal, whether leading him into the barn or hitching for the first time, is an opportunity for training. She believes in a quiet, gentle manner while working with a horse. Each equine calls for distinctive training to suit their personal requirements and their owner’s needs.

Instruction: Leslie began teaching in the summer of 2002. She has started over twenty beginners and assists experienced drivers in cultivating their skills. At the Gayla, Leslie has schooled in driven dressage, cones driving obstacle maneuvering, and reinsmanship, allowing her to carry these qualities into her own instruction. She seeks to learn at every opportunity, so that she may pass this knowledge to her students. Leslie attempts to indoctrinate the Gayla Driving Center's high standards into her students. It is her goal to augment the sport, helping others to find the treasure that she has discovered in driving.

Volunteer: Leslie is Executive Secretary for United States Driving for the Disabled. She coordinates most correspondence with the National Office, chairs the membership committee, and is in charge of the USDFD website. Leslie was drawn to USDFD through her work with Cindy Goff, who is a paraplegic. Cindy is the inspiration for the work done through the Gayla with disabled drivers of all types. Leslie has found that there is no greater joy than seeing a handicapped individual experience the freedom of driving for the first time! Visit the USDFD website for more details about the organization.

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