Gubby Leech (28) is an up and coming international event rider, based on the quiet and beautiful Clarendon Park Estate in Wiltshire. He is a natural horseman with drive and determination to become one of the sports future stars. His competitive spirit was noted by Lucinda Green in the Daily Telegraph:

“There is a burning desire in Leech to succeed and ride in the Olympics. Long may that flame burn bright in him”.

Gubby and his wife Sarah run their highly professional yard with help from a well skilled, hardworking team. They enjoy great support from a fabulous group of owners who love the sport and being a big part of Gubby Eventing.

As well as receiving top class training for their eventing careers, the horses physical and mental health is of utmost importance. They benefit from Sarah being an Equine Bowen Therapist who keeps on top of the horses physical health and each horse has their individual needs met ensuring they remain healthy and happy sport horses, able to perform to their full potential.

“Firstly, to save confusion my real name is Daniel Leech, however, thanks to my sister, I have been known to my family and friends as Gubby from a very young age. Therefore, the name has somewhat stuck, so please do call me Gubby!

I grew up on my parents family farm and have been riding since I could walk. I went to the Wilton PC where I was involved with tetrathlons, eventing, and showjumping.

For my 10^th birthday my Godfather John Johnston gave me an Opposition foal ‘Surprise Opposition’. I produced her all the way up to 3*, coming 19^th at Blenheim. She wasn’t the easiest but we formed a strong bond and she taught me a lot (especially how to work with mares) and certainly sparked off my passion for Eventing. She is now happily retired in a big field as a broodmare, hopefully making me some smart offspring for the future! 

After leaving school at 18 I decided I wanted to get involved in eventing more seriously. I then spent three months with my great friend Harry Meade, training with his father Richard. At the end of that time I had made up my mind I wanted to pursue a career in eventing. 

This led me to spend a year training with Pippa and William Funnell, where I gained hugely valuable experience during the year that Pippa won her Grand-Slam. Building on what I had learnt with the Funnells I took a job offer from Richard Ames in Suffolk and ran his event yard, training and competing his horses up to 4* level.

From 2006 to 2009 I was based at my home near Salisbury, riding many horses at all levels and gaining lots of competition experience.

In 2009 I was selected to represent Great Britain on Caetano in the Le Lion 7 year old Championships, alongside William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell and Michael Jackson.

At the end of 2009 I moved my yard to the fabulous equestrian facility at Clarendon Park (near Salisbury) in order to establish myself as a highly professional event rider with serious ambitions for myself and my horses.

Since setting up my yard at Clarendon Gubby Eventing has gone from strength to strength.  We have built up a fantastic team of horses and owners with, fingers crossed, an exciting future ahead of us.”