So, just curious, Did The OP ever find out any further info on her pony she was searching for?
I don’t like these types of posts but if it helps one person not to make a bad decision it’s a success. He is still the same horrrible person and horsemen everyone talks about in this forum. Nothing has changed except apparently he’s gone to the east coast to reap havoc there. He’s a talented rider that talks a good story, and can charm you into his likability. It’s all false there’s not one negative thing here that I haven’t witnessed, save your horse, save your bank account and stay away. There are trainers that are true horsemen they are just harder to find and cost a little more because they don’t just take anybody. Stay away from this one!
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He recently finished one USEF suspension for being rude at Memorial Day classic. There was also a non-payment issue (https://files.usef.org/assets/k7JpnNQCz2Q/automatic-suspensions-913-1301-309-1035-updated-11817.pdf) which may have been resolved by now.
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Jan 17,2018
Well the devil (Michael Leon) has set up shop in North Georgia and the POS hasn’t changed. He’s still “charming” people into falling for him and then screwing them big time just like all the stories dating back to 2009 on the west coast. When is this going to stop? It won’t!!! He’s the equestrian Pied Piper! He was taken on by Falcon Ridge Stables in Woodstock, GA. In my opinion, I’m sure he promised the owners he wanted to get a fresh start and do things the right way! Here we go again…he charmed his way into Falcon Ridge Stables even though the owners knew his past. At least he’s good at that! I’ve known these owners over 20 years. They are the most kind, loving, trusting people around. Unfortunately Michael Leon has screwed them over as well! It’s not enough that he stole equipment and clients(misled idiots) and even a horse in the middle of the night, but now he’s out to totally destroy Falcon Ridge any way he can. What really sucks is he’s charmed a wealthy person(their time will come too) to back him! Somehow the equestrian world has got to pull their heads out of the sand and stop this evil man!!
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So sad that he is still taking advantage of people. It is not like the history is easy to find.
Long shot as this post is ancient, but did you ever find your pony? After reading through this thread, I am almost positive I know her and where she ended up as of 2015.
From what I know of FR, they really are pros and should have known better?!
The people at FR are professionals, but apparently he showed up with a very convincing story about no longer wanting to deal with the pressures of showing, etc., in California, and wanted to relocate to a more low key environment (or some such thing) and that his customers in California were going to be horribly upset that he was moving, but…etc, etc, etc. He can be so very charming and seemingly sincere - and he just seems so nice - that one wants to believe him (to their eventual detriment).
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His customers in California would be upset?
Upset that they no longer receive feedstore bills where he added a zero to the invoice every month and asked to be reimbursed that amount? I mean hay is expensive in CA and all, but they eventually wised up. Don’t think they miss his shenanigans. What a creep.
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I think there is one person in California that misses him. Maybe two. But that’s about it. I think it would not be too easy to find anyone that has anything good to say about him. The bad thing is that we all had to learn the hard way. He is very good at what he does, which is to exude such charm and likability that you want to believe him - and do believe him - despite all the (sadly true) horror stories that are out there.
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So isn’t he one of the Leone Brothers? Long history that goes way back. Isn’t one of them an equine lawyer?
NO!!! He is Leon not Leone…very very different
Thanks for clarifying, mroades!
Please let me add one more vote of “Run and hide from this crook!” to the conversation. Unfortunately, I know this from the personal experiences of two clients. Same stories that have been well-documented elsewhere. Don’t confuse charm with honesty.
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I figure I may as well put this here since the thread has been resurrected more than once:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/derby-horse-injured-at-gulf-coast-classic
The subject of this thread owns and was riding the horse that was injured.
Gross. I’m typically more of a reader and less of a poster, but when I saw that article, my first thought was “Why on earth is a 16-year old former Grand Prix horse that already dropped down to do the children’s hunters campaigning in the high performance and derbies?!” This guy sounds like bad news all around and I feel sorry for the poor horse. A DDFT injury at that age will be a difficult rehab.
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Yes! These were my thoughts exactly when I read the article. Poor horse.
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I know that horse. He is so nice. I tried to buy him a couple of years ago, but was stonewalled by Michael and wasn’t able to do so. I would also mention that the horse wasn’t sound then - but I felt with care and judicious showing it would work out well (for me). It makes me so sick, because I knew something like this would happen. On the other hand, I was able to save another one from his clutches. That’s a story that is beyond horrifying, but I won’t go into it right now because I know the former owner and lessees of that horse, and I know they would feel horrible about what was done to him. Maybe someday…
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From two years ago…
BEWARE MICHAEL LEON. Winner of a silent auction that I donated for a trip to Waikiki and round trip airfare for two. Hotel room had to be secured by a credit card upon reservation, so I used my card, as the frequent flyer points were in my name.
Michael Leon was instructed on multiple occasions that all charges after his arrival at the hotel were to be paid by him and that he was to leave a credit card at the desk. Emailed him WHILE HE WAS AT THE HOTEL to alert him that $1200 pending charges were on my card and to please clear it up immediately. End result? Charged $1,500 for an upgrade to a suite and spa treatments on my credit card having checked into the hotel giving MY HOME ADDRESS as his address. This is credit card fraud. American Express and Hilton will not cancel the charges because they have no proof that he is not related to me (checked in with my home address).
I have emailed him on multiple occasions requesting payment. His last email…three weeks ago…stated, “you’re going to feel silly tonight because I’ve given my bank instructions to wire payment to your account.” BULLS#%T.
Police report filed. Public shaming begun.
Reminder to Shorty: No good deed goes unpunished.
Reminder to Michael Leon: Don’t try stealing from Shorty and then lying about it. She will ensure everyone knows. And before you threaten libel or slander…this is neither.
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Karma is a bitch after all.
