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mark leone

The Leones

The Leones

Mark Leone

Mark Leone has more than 30 years of experience as both a winning international show jumping rider and leading trainer. Even before opening the highly successful Ri-Arm Farm, his family name was synonymous with excellence in the equestrian world.

A native of New Jersey, Mark began riding at the age of 5. During his junior years he had countless victories, including being named Best Child Rider at The Devon Horse Show and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, where he also won the AHSA Medal Finals. He and his older brothers Armand and Peter, dubbed the notorious "Team Leone," quickly became a force to be reckoned with in the jumper ranks.

In 1987, Mark opened his full service equestrian facility in scenic Bergen County, New Jersey and that same year stepped into the international show spotlight competing as a member of the United States Equestrian Team. Since then he has ridden on 29 Nation’s Cup Teams and in 10 World Cup Finals.

In 1988 Mark was awarded the prestigious Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy followed by countless Grand Prix triumphs at top international competitions, including The Winter Equestrian Festival, The National Horse Show, and The Washington International Horse Show, where he won the President’s Cup Grand Prix, and on three separate occasions, topped the field to win the exciting Puissance class.

Over the years Mark has trained with many iconic horsemen, including George Morris, Bert De Nemethy, Frank Chapot, Michael Matz, Conrad Homfeld, and Rodney Jenkins. He is passionate about helping riders of all levels achieve their equestrian goals and is a highly respected and sought-after clinician and coach.

In 2017, Mark was named the President of the North American Riders Group, an organization that works to improve the quality of competitive show jumping in North America. In addition, he is the Zone 2 Jumper Chairman, sits on several, USEF committees, and has served as “athlete representative” for the United States Olympic Committee. Mark was as a member of the 2010 World Equestrian Games Show Jumping Team Selection Committee and his knowledge and expertise has landed him in front of the camera as on-air commentator for broadcasts on ESPN and Fox Sports.

When not on the road, Mark and his wife Jane and their two sons James and Mark enjoy the serenity and beauty at Ri-Arm Farm in Oakland, New Jersey.

 

About the Leone's & Ri-Arm Farm

Ri-Arm Farm began with three young boys and three ponies riding at their parents’ farm in Oakland, New Jersey the late 1960’s. During their junior years, Mark, Peter and Armand Leone competed successfully across the country winning national pony hunter, hunter and equitation championships. All three brothers went on to compete in the jumper division winning many national Grand Prix competitions, including the Newport Jumping Derby, the Upperville Grand Prix and the World Cup Grand Prix at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. Each one has been selected, and successfully competed, on the United States Equestrian Team in World Cup, World Championship and/or Olympic competitions.  Ri-Arm Farm continues under Mark’s ownership and management on the same grounds where he and his brothers first started to ride. Peter now lives in Connecticut, where he owns and runs Lionshare Farm in Greenwich and Armand continues to ride and serves as a volunteer officer in the United States Equestrian Federation.