RIP Lesley Long

By Coren Morgan on

Lesley Long.jpg

It is with great sadness that I write to tell you that yesterday the equestrian community lost one of its greatest members. Lesley Long passed away peacefully at the hospital surrounded by those closest to her. In November, Lesley was involved in an accident while clipping a horse that caused her to suffer a severe head trauma. Before starting her own business with daughter Kerri, Lesley spent over 10 years at Liz Patrick’s Waters Edge Farm, where she was a tremendous influence, as well as educator, to so many horses and riders. In effort to help Lesley’s family with hospital bills, as well as placement of the horses, fundraising is being put in place. Eventing Nation would like to send our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to Lesley’s family and friends during this devastating time. Please know that the entire eventing and equestrian community is behind you to offer support as you mourn this terrible loss. 
I would like to say thank you to EN’s good friend, Kerry, for telling us a little more about Lesley…
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It is with a heavy heart that I write this. On Wednesday we lost our dear friend and fellow eventer Lesley Long.  About three weeks ago Lesley suffered a traumatic brain injury after being kicked in the jaw.  Sadly the injury to her brain was devastating and just too much for her body to combat.  Those of us lucky enough to call her a friend are simply at a loss.  Lesley was a tremendous rider, instructor, mother, wife, and friend.  

 

Lesley was a devoted horse woman her entire life.  A USEA Level 1 instructor, Lesley had over twenty years of professional experience.  She had a vast background of experience with training racehorses, timber horses, and hunt horses.  She had a talent for starting young horses and had a love for the off track TB.  For many years she volunteered at Days End Farm Horse Rescue.   Most recently she and daughter Kerri began LK Sport Horses, where Lesley passed her knowledge on to her students.  

 

It is hard to put into words the loss that her family and friends are feeling today.  Her family took comfort in knowing how loved Lesley was not just by her family but by the riding community as well. 

 

Ride on Lesley

Categories:

Eventing Nation, Eventing News and Notes
  • Julia

    oh my... it's been a sad week. she was a wonderful woman and I'm honored to have met her. warm thoughts go out to those close to her.

  • Randy Rease @ Rivendell Irish Sport Horses

    We are greatly saddened by this news wish to express our sincerest condolences to her family. Our prayers are with them.

  • Susan

    Although I never knew Lesley, she was an enduring presence in the Maryland eventing community. This is a very sad day for all of us. My heart and prayers go out to all her friends and family. May she rest in peace.

  • Laura

    Wow, so sorry to hear of Lesley's passing, I met her several years ago when I worked at Carrolltown Vet Hosp. The last time I saw her she was working at Days End she was a great lady and will be missed by all.

  • Condolences

    So sad. My condolences to the family.

    And just to clarify, I believe the message is from Kerry Blackmer, not to be confused with Kerri (Lesley's daughter). Right Coren?

  • Amy Vodraska

    So sad to hear of this. Tought and prayers are with her family and connections.

  • natalie hollis

    Lesley was an amazing woman- such a great friend, horse person, and parent. She always had the time to help you out with everything and never cut any corners on doing things the right way. I am devastated about the world losing such an amazing person. I feel honored to have known her. My heart goes out to her family and friends.

  • CherylH

    The world was a better place with Lesley in it. RIP to one hell of a horsewoman.

  • Cindy

    My deepest condolences to Lesley's friends and family.

  • Jen C

    Those who had the pleasure of meeting Lesley, knew that she had that unique connection with all animals, especially horses. She was intuitively aware of what was happening and how to fix it. She never rushed or frightened horses, just provided the calmest, easiest path to success for them, and their riders/ handlers, too. Her astounding horsemanship was matched only by her quick wit and selfless love of her family and friends. Thank you, EN and Kerry, for this wonderful tribute.

  • Naomi N

    I am truly, truly sorry for this loss. Lesley will be greatly missed.

  • Kathy Schwartz Howe

    I am so very shocked and saddened buy the passing of Leslie. She was a wonderful person and volunteer at Days End Farm Horse Rescue and her loss will be felt by many of us at Days End. She was so much more than a volunteer at Days End. She was a teacher, a trainer and a friend. She will be missed by all who new her. Our sympathy goes out to her family and friends in this time of sorrow knowing that our memories of her will be carried forever in all of our hearts. May she always run with the horses.

  • Amanda

    Lesley was a true bright spot for everyone who knew her, be it human, hound or horse. She will be missed by all. Thanks EN and Kerry, for this tribute.

  • Kim Bradley

    may she rest in peace

  • Coren

    Correct, the tribute was written by kerry blackmer.

  • patt

    How very sad, my heart goes out to her family and friends. The picture accompanying this article really says it all and is such a tribute to her love of horses. The joy our horses bring us is worth the risk no matter how tragic. May she rest in peace

  • Noel Paterson

    Thanks Coren for your kind words following the tragic death my cousin Lesley. Her family over here in Scotland are devastated by this awful turn of events. Coren, you mention setting up fundraising for the family. If you do set something up, would you please let us have the details? My e-mail is noel@zoomtastic.co.uk

  • Tim Kammerer

    This has just torn everyone up over here at Waters Edge Farm. I worked with Leslie all year until she started her new venture with Kerri. I was so happy for her as she was excited. I only speak for myself, but know everyone here has lost a dear friend who will be forever remembered. Ride on Leslie, Ride on.

    Tim

  • Sophie AUS

    Every teardrop, again, is a waterfall this has indeed been a sad week

  • Shane

    It’s so hard for me to write anything about Lesley because I feel like my words can never capture what an amazing person she was. I have never met a horsewoman who was so devoted and so wise and so full of life. Lesley had an amazing history with horses—I loved hearing her stories of working with countless youngsters and spicy mares. She always had a way of sharing advice and shedding light on a situation in a way that made you feel enlightened and edified. I bought my horse in February of 2008 rather impulsively and began boarding at Waters Edge; I knew next to nothing and felt so intimidated every day I went to the barn. Yet Lesley was there from the beginning, always encouraging me, always helping me. And she helped in a way that taught me to develop my own horsemanship skills. She taught me to wrap a foot, to pull a mane, even to muck a stall. She gave me countless pointers on my riding, but always in a caring and subtle way. I will treasure the times that I was able to trail ride with her; those are my favorite trail rides. I know that I am a better horsewoman today because of Lesley. Lesley is the kind of person I would love to be when I “grow up”, but I know I could never hit close to her mark. She had true grit and character and passion and a deep overwhelming joy. I can’t believe she is gone. Life is so unfair. But her memory will live on in her wonderful daughter, Kerri, and in the horses that she trained and the students she led. Lesley will be greatly missed; she was the kind of horsewoman you rarely find today, and I know that she blessed the lives of countless people.

  • Gordon Daugherty

    I can't begin to unsderstand. All my love, Gordon

  • Susan Buschmann

    sorry for the loss

  • Jill Henneberg

    Lesley was one of my most favorite people.. Humble, brave, smart, beautiful....and a laugh that couldn't be replaced. I had two young horses in from Canada, that she and her daughter, Kerri, started for me. Incredible...there are no more words! I don't think there will go a day without a thought of Lesley...because since the day I met her, there never was. I was the lucky one, to have met such an amazing person, that called me her friend.

  • Sandy

    Thank you EN and Kerry B. for the tribute to Lesley and her family. I know how incredibly difficult this is for everyone, and my hope is that none of us will ever again pass up the opportunity to tell our loved ones we love them. The last words my Mom and I exchanged were, "I love you", and I will forever carry those words close to my heart. God bless you Lesley and daughter, Kerri.

  • Erica and Jamie Hamilton

    It is very hard to digest the news of Lesley's passing. She impacted all she met. The Hamilton's had the great honor of calling Lesley their friend, and always will. We wish to send our deepest sympathy and condolences to her family.

  • Tamara Doloff

    I just want to say how stunned I was to learn of her passing, it seems impossible that she's gone. Kerri, I'm so sorry for your loss, I can't even imagine...She was one of the most positive thinking people that I've ever known. She did so much to help me and my 2 boys with our riding and horse management. She always seemed to know so many "tricks" and was humble and unassuming when she made a suggestion, never insulted if you chose to try something different. Always a kind word for everyone no matter the situation. I feel so lucky and blessed to have known her...I will never forget her beautiful smile or quick wit. May you rest in peace Lesley Long, I know that if there are horses in heaven you're right there with them.

  • Rene

    I met Lesley and John in 1987. And my family moved to MD in 1992. They were ever present when my husband died and their children were the first friends in MD for my children. Although our lives led us in different directions, I have always had loving thoughts of Lesley and John. It was quite a shock for me to learn of Lesley's passing. The words are very hard to express at what a great woman she really was. She is a force of nature that will be truly missed in this lifetime and the next. Thank you God for Blessing us with Lesley's presence in our lives... She left an imprint on our souls...

  • Sammy Jo

    Although I did not know Lesley personally, I have known her daughter Kerri for many years and have always heard the best things about her and know that she passed her love and knowledge of all things horse onto Kerri. This is a great loss and my thoughts and prayers are with Kerri and all those others who were closest to Lesley. The equestrian world has lost one of their best...

  • Richard

    I first met Lesley when I was either 15 or 16 years old, when she, John, and baby daughter Kerri moved next door to my parents' house. She was always very kind to me, and I hold nothing but fond memories of my interactions with her, including those into my adult years. I was shocked and deeply saddened when I learned of her tragic passing. And I remain saddened to this day. To John, Kerri, Ian, and Jill, my heart just aches when I think of your loss and what all you've had to endure. Lesley had touched many, many lives, and I hope this knowledge brings you some sense of comfort during this difficult time. May God bless.