by Steven Mills
Above: Leslie Kramer gives Charlie a treat in front of the new barn being added to the farm. 40
I WAS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD when I met a horse for the first time, and I have been reined in ever since. Riding is a sport that you can participate in your whole life. Knowing it will always be there, I can take time to discover other things that I’m passionate about—although nothing will ever compare to the way horses have captured my spirit. In 2012, I began training at Equest Farm in City Park. One of the first people I met was Leslie Kramer, the head of operations and owner of the farm with her two sisters, Mary Antonini and Ellen Addison. All three welcomed me; they possess very different personalities, but they share the same passion for the farm and horses. After I arranged with Leslie to interview her for
Inside New Orleans
this article, I walked through the front gate at Equest Farm and continued through the canopy of crepe myrtles that line each side of the concrete pathway. A new barn being built at the front of the property instantly caught my gaze as I perused the grounds, taking in deep breaths of the fresh air. Located several miles from the vibrant streets of the French Quarter, Equest Farm provides the perfect retreat for someone looking to escape reality. Leslie and I sat at a picnic table on the edge of the property next to the lagoon that separates the horse pastures from the main road. There is always a nice breeze at Equest, partly because of its proximity to water. I asked Leslie how she began riding horses, and that served as an introduction to the Equest story.
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Back in the Saddle