Foothills Rider Profile: Leah Blanchette

October 30, 2026

Some goals are years in the making. For Leah, qualifying for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair as an adult rider has been exactly that — a dream she set her sights on and refused to let go of. A fixture at Foothills Farm since she was seven years old, Leah knows the Royal's famous indoor ring well, having competed there in her junior years. This year, she returns to Toronto for a brand-new chapter: her first Royal as an adult.

The Royal is the largest indoor agricultural and equestrian event in the world, returning to Toronto's Exhibition Place from November 6 to 15 for its 104th year. At its heart is the Royal Horse Show — billed as North America's number one indoor horse show — where the country's best horses and riders compete under the lights of the Coca-Cola Coliseum. Qualifying is a feat at any age, and doing it while balancing the realities of adult life makes it all the sweeter. We sat down with Leah and her mare, Dyna, to talk about coming full circle, what has changed since her junior days, and the road that brought her back to the Royal.

When did you start riding?
I started riding when I was 7, and I've been at Foothills ever since!

Tell us about the horse you're riding this season.
The horse I'm riding is Dyna — “A Dinabell Z.” She's the sweetest and silliest mare. She loves treats and taking long naps, and she continues to exceed all of our expectations. She achieved every one of our goals for this season, and we couldn't be happier with her.

This isn't your first Royal, but it is your first as an adult. How does it feel to come back for a new chapter?Coming back as an adult feels even better, because I'm so much more aware of the costs, sacrifices, and effort that went into planning this season. Qualifying as an adult has been a goal of mine, and I feel so proud that we were able to achieve it this year!

What's your favourite memory from competing at the Royal as a junior?
My favourite memory is the year I had a horse named Christophe and we won the Under Saddle in our division. It was such a great way to end our season together — and to end my junior career!

What surprised you most about moving from the junior ranks into adult competition?
I think the biggest surprise for any rider once they age out of the juniors is realizing the cost of competing at this level, and how hard it can be to balance work, school, family, travelling, and everything else.

What would you tell your younger self — the one heading into her first Royal?
I'd tell myself to enjoy the moment, because the pressure is gone. Qualifying for the Royal is very difficult, and once you've done that, the pressure is off — just have fun and enjoy it.

Is there anything you do differently in your Royal preparation now that you know what to expect?
Every horse is different, and you never know how they'll react in a venue like that, so I just go in with positivity and an open mind. Prep is your friend!

What is one thing you will never forget about this show season?
The one thing I won't forget about this season is our determination to achieve this dream. We had a challenging season with many ups and downs, as most people do, but we never once gave up on our goal and kept pushing right to the very end.

Do you still get nervous before a show? If so, what do you do to overcome the nerves?

No, I don't get nervous before showing — but I am a bit of a control freak! I think part of the reason I don't get nervous is that I over-organize and like to be prepared. If I didn't do those things, I'd definitely be nervous.

What advice would you give to a rider whose goal is to qualify for the Royal next year?
It's a long road and a long season. My biggest piece of advice is not to obsess over the standings and points at the very beginning, since there are so many shows and anything can happen. It's easy to get discouraged after a bad show, but everyone has them — you just need to keep going.

What are your goals for next year?
Next year we'll be moving up to the 3'3" JR/AM Hunters. I'm so excited for this new challenge together!

What advice would you give to new riders just getting into the sport?
Take every opportunity you can get — whether that's picking up extra rides on other horses, grooming at shows, or watching others compete. It's amazing how much you can learn from watching other people, and the more time in the saddle the better, especially when you're a junior.

Do you have a role model or another rider you look up to?
My two favourite riders to watch are Lillie Keenan and Tori Colvin — both are amazing riders and so beautiful to watch!

What have horses taught you?
Horses have taught me patience and humility. One day you can win a class, and the next you can have your worst day ever — it really keeps you on your toes, in the best way possible.

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