Rolling Acres Show Stables Spotlight Series: Mary Lisa Leffler

Good morning all! Since we won't have horse show results to share for a while, we thought we might do a weekly spotlight series of our staff so everyone can get to know Team RASS! Up next is Mary Lisa Leffler!

Mary Lisa riding in the Inaugural parade
for President Jimmy Carter

As the youngest daughter of Bud and Janice Nicholson, it was in the cards for Mary Lisa to be a rider.  She started riding at the young age of four. As a young rider Mary rode both English and Sidesaddle. Her competition career started in the Leadline division and has taken her all the way to the International Jumper ring.

Mary has pages full of championship honors from shows up and down the east coast, as far west as the Mississippi and across the Pond to represent the United States in Finland, Denmark, and Sweden. If you ask her what her greatest accomplishment is as a rider she will tell you it’s retiring two major trophies at Devon and Harrisburg. (And in case you didn’t know, you have to be champion for 3 years to retire a trophy!!) She will also tell you that ‘Graf Rossini S’ has been her favorite jumper and ‘Legend Has It’ her favorite hunter to ride—although it took her a long time to decide because she has had so many horses she has loved.

Mary Lisa on Graf Rossini S

Mary Lisa on Legend Has It

In 1994 Mary Lisa decided to join her sister Patty in running Rolling Acres Show Stables as the professional rider and additional trainer.  To date, coaching Patty's daughter, Ashley Foster, to the A/O Jumper Championship and Leading A/O Jumper Rider at Harrisburg has been her biggest highlight as a trainer.  In 2009, Mary also added to her resume by becoming a USEF ‘R’ HU/HE judge.

Mary Lisa on I Dottori VD Richter

Each year Mary looks forward to competing the most at the Lexington Spring Shows and she loves judging at Devon.  She also loves judging the Green 3' division because it shows the young, up-and-coming horses.  This year Mary is looking forward to getting her newest horse, ‘I Dottori VD Richter (Doc)’, to the Grand Prix ring.

A couple of quick facts about Mary you might not know:

• Her favorite non-horse related activity is going to the beach.
• Her favorite food is pasta. 
• Her favorite song is 'The Dock of the Bay' 🎵
• Her pet peeve is not finishing what you start and making excuses for not trying!

Thank you Mary for all you have done over the years for Rolling Acres Show Stables!

Rolling Acres Show Stables Spotlight Series: Founder Patty Foster

Good morning all! Since we won't have horse show results to share for a while, we thought we might do a weekly spotlight series of our staff so everyone can get to know Team RASS! Up first is Rolling Acres founder, Patty Foster.

Patty on Silver Streak

Patty is the middle daughter of Bud and Janice Nicholson, owners of Rolling Acres Farm.  Patty grew up fox hunting, participating in Pony Club, 4-H and local horse shows. When she was 17 years old, she and her sister Mary Lisa went to Wellington, Florida to compete for the first time and after that there was no looking back! Patty rode in the hunters as well as side saddle competitions during that time. In 1976 Patty was the National Side Saddle Champion!



Patty decided to share her knowledge of riding and horsemanship with others and started teaching in 1981. There are too many championships to list in Patty's long trainer resume, but the one that stands out most in her mind is from the year 1988. Her rider, Kristina Lyhus, piloted Casey Jones to the National Medium Pony Hunter title, was Medium Pony Hunter Champion at Pony Finals, and was Champion at Harrisburg that year. (All of this was accomplished in his Green year too!)

Casey Jones

Patty on Fleet Fritz (A Thoroughbred!)

While Patty loves training at all levels and in all rings the pony ring is by far her favorite and her favorite horse show to attend is Roanoke.

Patty with Corner Whim

A couple of quick facts about Patty you might not know:

• Her favorite non-horse related activity is going to the beach.
• Her favorite food is taco salad. 
• Her favorite drinks are Coke Zero or a good Sea Breeze. 😏
• Her favorite color is blue.

Thank you Patty for all you have done over the years for our riders and as founder of Rolling Acres Show Stables!

Patty Accepting her Trainer of the Day Award at Venice this year.

Looking to make a change and advance your riding?

Thinking about the future and your riding? Take your competitive edge to the next level and join us at Rolling Acres Show Stables, located in Brookeville, Maryland. Now is the time to plan for the future and consider your next move!

Boarders train and show with one of the top hunter/jumper barns on the East Coast. RASS has select openings for active competitors at our home base in Maryland. Coaching riders from Short Stirrup to Grand Prix and attending rated shows from Vermont to Florida each year! Learn more about us at: http://www.rollacresshowstables.com

Memories of the Season: Part 3

Finishing up this week with the re-share of photos from the 2020 season. We hope everyone is staying safe and can't wait to be sharing results with you again some day! As always special thanks to our very talented Sheryl Sutherby for taking these pictures!