Jeff Lebbin

Board Of Directors

Jeff Lebbin is the visionary and behind the AHCA. He has brought this board together to start “an organization with integrity that highlights horsemanship in a competitive arena”. He is an accomplished trainer, clinician, and equine dentist. He lives in Swartz Creek, Michigan with his wife Rhonda where he runs his family-owned ranch, Enchanted Acres. Enchanted Acres is home to 60 head of horses, up to 20 head of cattle, and a pen full of Austrian Kelpies who help with ranch work. If you ever have a chance to meet this modern day cowboy, you’ll meet someone who loves his work and almost always has a smile on his face. It doesn’t matter if you’re a lifetime client or meeting Jeff for the first time, I guarantee he’ll make you laugh.

Growing up, Jeff’s family raised and showed Foundation Quarter Horses. By the age of ten he was training neighbors’ ponies for quarter mile driving races. By sixteen, Jeff had turned professional and was hired by multiple farms to train and show their class A Morgans, Arabians, and Quarter Horses in a variety of disciplines including western, hunt seat, saddle seat, reining, and dressage, earning several world titles. Jeff was a full time trainer by the age of eighteen, training all breeds and disciplines, including driving. In 1990 Jeff expanded his horse operation and started a horse and carriage company that included fourteen Percherons and several carriages, which were used for proms, weddings, and parties. He was even featured with these horses in a movie and multiple commercials.

Jeff is award winning rider and an accomplished trainer Enchanted Acres has hosted numerous obstacle style equine events including the Mid-West Regional Finals. In addition to competing and hosting events, Jeff was a National Advisory Board Member for the Mid-West region of the EXCA, a member of the rules committee, and helped develop the format for the new judging standards and the new judge’s test used by the organization. For 2011 Jeff was one of the judges for the EXCA World Championship.
Jeff’s experience with all breeds and riding disciplines, as well as, his level of involvement with EXCA gives him a unique perspective on this sport. He believes in it and the bond it can develop between horse and rider. When an organization is promoted with integrity, honesty and for the benefit of all involved it can do nothing but succeed. Because of this he believes AHCA will be a great association.

Although Jeff is passionate about training and showing Reined Cow Horses, when he saw the Extreme Cowboy Race on RFDTV he knew it was a new challenge right up his alley. Since competing in that first race where he won a saddle, Jeff has become hooked on the sport. In addition to competing in the EXCA, Jeff and his family have hosted multiple races on their ranch, featuring an extremely challenging outdoor course. As the horse industry began changing and organizations such as the AQHA started pushing for improper movements, Jeff left the western pleasure ring and began focusing on Foundation bred horses and ranch based competitions.

Jeff still trains all disciplines, he is best known for his ability to train reined cow horses, from the young colt whose mind and body is ready to be molded to the well-broke horse that is missing his finishing touches. Jeff’s reputation for soft but firm training methods has spread nationwide. Jeff’s success can be seen not only in the horses he’s trained, but also thrugh the numerous wins he’s had with his own personal horses.

2005 to 2008 – Michigan NRCHA Open and Limited Open Champion
2008 – FQHR World Versatility Champion with his stallion “Smart Poco Equalizer”
“Smarty” was also crowned the FQHR World Champion Cow Horse for his combined performances in cutting, reined cow horse, and roping classes
2009 – FQHR World Versatility Champion and Reserve World High Point Champion
2009 – Michigan NRCHA Open Hackamore Reserve Champion with “Freckles Irish Pride”
The most recent award Jeff is the proudest of attaining is the title of “Versatility Champion” with his stallion “Smarty”. Over 25,000 horses have been registered with the FQHR in its 16 year history. Smarty is one of only 3 horses to have attained this title.

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