A young Heather enjoyed showing both English and Western!

Heather Koonce Leclair is originally from Morganton, North Carolina. Morganton is in the foothills of Western North Carolina near the Blueridge Mountains. Heather starting taking English and Western riding lessons as a youth and from the moment she sat on a horse she had a deep love for these wonderful animals. Getting her first horse at the age of twelve she learned respect and responsibility. Moving from trail riding as a youth to riding barrels and other timed events as a teenager, Heather has always had a great seat and feel for a horse.

After graduating from Freedom High School with honors, Heather decided to attend The University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio because of their intensive equestrian program. While attending U of F Heather worked on her Bachelor of Science degree and met her husband-to-be Jared Leclair, also a student in the equestrian program.

When Jared accepted the head trainer position at Quarter Mount Farm in Paxton, MA. Heather was also hired as an assistant trainer. Quarter Mount Farm, owned by Steve Simon, was quickly gaining national recognition as the home of Custom Crome, a future NRHA million dollar sire. As an assistant trainer, Heather had many responsibilities while at Quarter Mount Farm. These included riding the young horses, assisting in all aspects of showing and training, as well as assisting in the breeding operation at this prestigious top reining facility. After three years of hard work, Heather was rethinking her decision to be a professional horsewoman.

Heather and Jared finding a little time to relax on horse back!

When Jared was offered a position at Tim McQuay Stables in 2004 Heather moved with Jared and made a life changing decision. While Jared followed his dream of becoming a top NRHA trainer, Heather realized that being a support to Jared was probably more important than being a professional trainer herself.

2007

January 2007 marked the end of Jared’s third year as an assistant trainer at McQuay Stables and the beginning of a bright future for Heather and Jared as owners of their own reining operation, Leclair Performance Horses, located at Legacy Ranch in Pilot Point, Texas. While Jared rides and trains and runs that side of the operation, Heather is always in the background, "taking care of business". She hopes to show in Non Pro classes in 2008 and will continue to take care of the business details of the operation so Jared may focus on showing and training.