Sara Leitch and Athena Van Francessca having fun on cross country. Image by Capture Dat Photography.
Once best known for their long manes, lofty carriage, and appearances in medieval films, Friesians have long been admired for their beauty – but not always their prowess in the dressage arena. Traditionally bred as carriage horses, their uphill frames and powerful front ends can make the collected, supple movement of modern dressage a challenge.
Yet, more and more riders are proving that these striking black horses can hold their own in competition arenas across Australia. One of those riders is Sara Leitch, who with her Friesian mare Athen Van Francessca, affectionately known as Beans, is showing that heart and hard work can rival even the most purpose-bred warmblood.
Balancing her university studies in biomedicine and science with her training schedule, Sara has been steadily climbing the ranks with Beans competing successfully in both Equestrian Australia (EA) and Pony Club Victoria (PCAV) competitions. Together, they’ve become an unlikely yet inspiring duo: a young rider and her determined Friesian, challenging expectations of what dressage success looks like.
Sara Leitch and Athena Van Francessca competing at Boneo Park. Image by James Abernethy.
A CHANCE CONNECTION THAT STUCK
Sara first met Beans through her long-time friend and the mare’s owner, Belinda Kilbourn. “Belinda didn’t have time to ride Beanie full time and so I started leasing her permanently in December 2023,” Sara explains. “I’d known Bel for years and had helped with Beans when she was a five-year-old. Riding a Friesian wasn’t something I ever planned on doing – it just sort of happened.”
Up until then, Sara’s experience had been mostly with warmbloods, a breed synonymous with modern dressage. “Having warmbloods, I definitely wasn’t looking for a Friesian,” she laughs. “But I’d known Beans for a while, and when the opportunity came up to lease her, it felt right. I thought it would be something different.”
And different it certainly has been. Beans is 87.5% Friesian and 12.5% Thoroughbred, though she looks every part the full Friesian, with her shiny black coat and high stepping movement. “She’s not quite a purebred, but she’s definitely more Friesian than not,” Sara says. “And she’s got all the personality that comes with it.”
TEACHING A FRIESIAN TO DANCE
When Sara first began working with Beans, the mare’s raw movement and limited balance posed a major challenge. “She could barely put one foot in front of the other when I first got her,” Sara admits with a grin. “She had no concept of her body – she’d trip over poles, lose her balance, and if you asked for canter, she might manage half a long side before falling back to trot.”
Unlike purpose-bred warmbloods, Friesians aren’t naturally constructed for dressage. “They’re built to pull rather than push,” Sara explains. “Their canter is often their weakest gait because they don’t naturally use their hind end the same way. So, teaching her how to move – how to actually use her body efficiently – has been a process.”
Sara started from scratch. “Even though she was eight, I treated her like a four-year-old,” she says. “We went right back to basics – teaching her how to walk, trot and canter properly, how to find her balance, and how to respond to subtle aids.”
Pole work became a key part of Beans’ development. “I did a lot of pole work to make her think about her feet,” Sara says. “If she hit a pole, she’d trip, and she’d learn from that. I also took her out hacking on rocky terrain and uneven ground, so she had to concentrate on where she was placing her feet. It made her a lot more aware of her body.”
The canter took the longest to establish. “She’d get tired, confused, or just decide it was too hard and stop. I had to keep encouraging her to go a little further each time – first a long side, then a circle, then transitions within the pace. It was slow work, but she’s got such a good heart; she never says no for long.”
Sara Leitch and Athena Van Francessca competing. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
“She’s taught me patience and
how to think outside the box…”
THE FRIESIAN MINDSET
Ask Sara what it’s like training a Friesian and she’ll laugh. “They’re so different,” she says. “They’re incredibly willing, but they’re also very stubborn. When they’ve made up their mind about something, that’s it. You can’t change it – you have to find another way.”
She recalls advice from an early trainer that changed her perspective. “Someone once told me that Friesians are like a table – you have to ride each leg individually,” she explains. “Warmbloods naturally have their legs underneath them, but Friesians need to be taught how to carry themselves. You literally have to teach them how to move.”
Despite those challenges, Sara says the experience has been transformative. “Beans has made me a better rider,” she says. “She’s taught me patience and how to think outside the box. You can’t just apply a textbook method – you have to listen to her and figure out what makes sense in her mind. She’s clever, but she needs to understand the ‘why’ behind what you’re asking.”
That patience has paid off. Beans is now confidently competing at Elementary level, winning the Amateur Owner Rider (AOR) State Championship against some flashy warmbloods, and with medium work well underway. “Flying changes have been tricky,” Sara admits. “She just doesn’t understand what I want yet. Sometimes she nails one and gets so proud of herself, then completely forgets how to do it the next day. It’s like ‘Mum, I did it!’ and then – gone!”
Sara Leitch and Athena Van Francessca training with coach Christine Sievers. Image by Capture Dat Photography.
PONY CLUB TO PERFORMANCE ARENAS
While many riders leave Pony Club once they start competing in EA dressage, Sara has stayed deeply involved with her local PCAV branch – and she credits it with much of her foundation as a rider.
“I love the Pony Club atmosphere,” she says. “It’s social, friendly, and supportive. When I first joined, it taught me everything – how to saddle a horse properly, bits and bitting, feeding, all the practical knowledge you just don’t get elsewhere.”
Beyond education, she values the diversity of the program. “Pony Club isn’t just dressage and jumping. We do games, horse archery, side saddle, pairs, teams of four – even quizzes. It’s all so different, and it keeps things fun,” she says. “It’s amazing cross-training for the horses and a mental break for me. I spend enough time in the arena – it’s nice to go out and do something completely different.”
That variety, Sara believes, has helped Beans become a more adaptable, relaxed and confident horse. “She’s seen so much – flags, games, noise, chaos – nothing really fazes her anymore and it’s good for me, too. It reminds me that it’s not all about the next test or the next score. It’s about enjoying the partnership.”
PROGRESS, PATIENCE AND PERSONALITY
In the EA arena, Sara and Beans have notched some impressive results. Their recent back-to-back wins of the AOR Elementary State Championship title and Pony Club Australia National Elementary Championship marked Beans’ final Elementary starts – a milestone Sara is proud of. “She did really well,” she says. “There were little things to polish, but considering where we started, it’s an incredible feeling.”
Their next goal is Medium, with hopes to step up to Advanced towards the end of 2026. “If I can get her to Medium Tour or Big Tour one day, I’d be thrilled,” Sara says. “But she’ll tell me her limit, and I’ll respect that. She tries so hard to please – sometimes too hard!”
The work ethic is something Sara cherishes. “She forgets she’s a diesel tractor, not a V8 Ferrari,” she laughs. “She just wants to give you 110% every time, when she doesn’t quite understand what I’m asking. She’s got so much heart.”
The pair’s bond is clear – a mix of determination, mutual trust, and affection. “She’s such a trier,” Sara says fondly. “She makes me proud every day. She’s proof that you don’t have to have the perfect breed or the perfect start to succeed in dressage. You just have to keep showing up, keep trying, and enjoy the journey.” EQ
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