WACO, Texas – An unwavering advocate for women in sport, Dr. Leah Fiorentino gave 10 years of undying support to the National Collegiate Equestrian Association as its Executive Director after spending several as an NCEA parent.
A woman in sport herself, Dr. Leah never imagined that horses, an animal she’d always admired from afar, would take center stage later in her life.
She and her husband dove into her daughters’ athletic pursuits, her family’s life becoming a juggling act of road trips, training schedules and dedication. The family adopted equestrian early on in the short stirrup days, which stuck with Logan, while Kendel followed her mom’s collegiate footsteps into the pool as a swimmer.
By the time Logan started doing equitation, the family had moved to accommodate both the swimming and horse worlds they had stepped into.
“We set up a barn and built a riding ring and we had everything we could do for something she wanted to pursue,” said Fiorentino. “At the same time, we set up a compound where we had a pool in the backyard so that Kendel could be in the water as much as she wanted. And being on Long Island facilitated both girls having access to really good trainers and coaches. It was a matter of supporting their interests.”
Fast forward, and Kendel is swimming for South Carolina. Logan first chose to finish her last junior year riding at home where her trainer was, attending a local college. Once she realized what collegiate riding could look like, Logan enrolled at Georgia, eventually becoming a coach for the Bulldogs after graduating.
The involvement “Doc” had with the collegiate equestrian team didn’t stop with sitting in the stands. What started as a supportive role for her daughter transformed into advocacy and leadership in a sport fighting for its place within the NCAA.
In tumultuous times in 2014, amidst shifting NCAA policies and funding uncertainties, the Southeastern Conference coaches Dr. Leah had become closely acquainted with turned to her for help.
“I felt very comfortable talking to them. Logan was coaching at that point, and they came to me and said, ‘we need some help, we need an outside perspective. You’re a college administrator outside of athletics, you talk to presidents, you’re comfortable in these environments and we really need some help.’ And I just said, ‘Okay.’”
With no equestrian background of her own, Dr. Leah was able to bring a fresh and strategic perspective to the table. Her natural passion for students and sport, paired with her credibility, quickly made her a linchpin in the survival and growth of collegiate equestrian.
From coordinating early meetings with athletic directors and conference commissioners to serving as a liaison between coaches and administrators, she became an unexpected but essential force.
“I always said my role was to become obsolete. Planned obsolescence. Help the sport stabilize and then step away.”
Unbeknownst to her, she’d be embroiled in NCAA equestrian for a decade, advocating and organizing her tail off when she thought it may be a two or three-year gig. Though she did step away from her role as Executive Director of the NCEA, she remains embedded in the sport.
The goal remains the same as when “Doc” took on the role 10 years ago, and the NCEA would not be in the position it is today without her helping to pave the way.
From starting blocks to stables, Dr. Leah’s devotion runs deep. It is because of her dedication and drive for collegiate equestrian and opportunities for female athletes that Dr. Leah Fiorentino is being inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Special Contributor in the 2025 class.