Brooke (Marcus) Leininger is in her seventh season as head coach of the University of Minnesota Crookston Equestrian team. The Redding, Calif., native oversees the entire program and also coaches the hunt seat equitation competitors.
Brooke led the hunt seat team to two consecutive Regional Championship titles, both in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, she coached two riders to Top Ten finishes at IHSA Nationals, and over the past seven years, has coached several riders to the Zone Championships. In 2010, she coached Laura Critchett to the reserve Cacchione Cup title.
Brooke came to UMC from Fort Collins, Colo. where she was riding, training and showing horses professionally. Brooke was ranked as one of the top ten hunter/jumper riders in Colorado by the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association (CHJA) in 2005. She accomplished this feet riding a horse that she owned and trained. Brooke, also an avid dressage rider, is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist and is currently showing her mare at the Prix St. George.
Brooke graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Equine Science and received her Master of Science in Strategic Leadership from the University of Mary. Prior to coming to UMC, she taught elementary education in Fort Collins and also owned and operated a riding lesson and training program. Brooke is an instructor in the U of M, Crookston Agriculture and Natural Resources Department where she teaches classes in Equine Science. She resides in Crookston with her husband, Michael.
