CLIFFHAVEN FARM

Gabby Ledger

Gabby got her start riding in the early 80's at Leitchcroft Farms in Richmond Hill Ontario where she took lessons with her best friend Jessie Barrie.  The two girls were lucky enough to start with three of the best names in the business - Dezso ("Tapsi") Hary, Martha Griggs and Nancy McLaughlin.  This was followed by five years of lessons and Pony Club at Sunnybrook Stables (Anna Ritchie and Mark Carter) and summer camp at The Horse People Inc. where Gab's eventing addiction began.  Lucky for Gabby, Jessie's parents purchased Jessie's first horse Peanuts (Roman Strategy) and Gab's parents followed suit with the purchase of Clifton (Crown Riviera) in 1989.  Partnered with Clifton, Gab returned to Leitchcroft Farms where she began her eventing career in earnest under the tutelage of Tapsi Hary.  Gabby and Cliffy competed throughout Ontario as members of the Leitchcroft Pony Club (then DC Carol Burke), as well as on the Jumper circuit at the Trillium and 'A' levels, while working their way up the levels in the sport of Eventing. 

 Clifton was a freakishly good jumper with limitless scope, but a complex soul and tricky in the dressage.  For that reason Gabby finished high school early and took a job in 1994 as a working student for Kenneth Dyrby and Linday Keenan at Four Sabots farm in South Carolina and Wellington Florida (now http://www.layhamhall.com/).  This was an invaluable learning opportunity and Gabby's riding benefitted immensely from her experiences riding their FEI dressage horses. This was followed by a year as a working pupil with Tapsi back in Ontario.  During her working pupil years Gabby not only honed her riding skills, but those of trainer and farm manager as well.  1996 marked Gab's return to her formal education but eventing remained a real passion and she supported her competitive career by bartending throughout univeristy. 

In 1999 Gabby began Medical School at McMaster Univeristy and in 2003 she began residency in Family Practice at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto.  After a year as a family doctor Gab decided to pursue a different career path and is now a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist working with at risk youth in the GTA.  Gabby kept riding and competing throughout her schooling and in 2007 She and Alex purchased Cliffhaven Farm where they combine their love of horses, the outdoors and family.

 Alex Ledger

Alex started riding at age 12 in the Detriot Michigan suburbs.  Together with his mom Carol, he took lessons at Haverhill Farms and competed on the Hunter/Jumper circuit.  He took a break from riding in his later teen years after the purchase of his 1966 Mustang.  He missed the horses, however, and quickly returned to the sport in 2002 when he and Gabby met.  Alex and Isaac have a partnership based on great mutual affection for eachother and food in general.  At present, Alex juggles his roles as father to Mia, husband, rider, and farmer extraordinaire with his work at The Toronto Star.