Elpida Equestrian's New Partnership Delivers Double Clear to Wrap Up WEF Q1

Athena Lekkas and Picobella De Pot

Trainer Carlo Graziani with Athena Lekkas and Picobella De Pot

Wellington, FL (January 31, 2024) - The first weeks of WEF will test even the most established partnership, and during the first quarter of the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Elpida Equestrian's Athena Lekkas and Picobella De Pot strengthened their partnership with double clear and consistent efforts in the 1.15M Junior Jumpers with the goal of moving up to the 1.20Ms in the near future.

As a newly minted competitive pair, 17-year-old Lekkas and the coming 9-year-old Dutch bred mare Picobella De Pot (I'm Special De Muze x Elmshorn) were focused on building confidence in each other and perfecting their jumping teqnique during WEF's first three weeks. Under the guidance of trainer Carlo Graziani of Graziani Performance Horses, Lekkas and "Bella" wrapped up their second week and first quarter of WEF with a double clear and 6th place finish in the 1.15M Junior Jumpers.

"Our goal was consistency and precision versus speed," said Lekkas. "She can jump the moon so we are just perfecting the details on my end and I'm so grateful to Carlo, my parents, and the entire team we have behind us that allows both of us to grow and thrive in this sport."

The Lekkas Family purchased Bella in the late fall of 2023, after multiple seasons with their first 1.20M horse, Karthago Di Cambra. Athena's parents George & Ursula Lekkas sought to set their daughter up for success in 2022 by launching her brand, Elpida Equstrian. Then 15-year-old Lekkas and Karthago went on to qualify for the NAYRC and solidified their status as 1.20M competitors before being sidelined by an injury early in the 2023 WEF season. With a new mount and new goals for 2024, Lekkas and Bella are headed into WEF 4 this week to again compete in the 1.15M Junior Jumpers.

Watch Athena & Picobella De Pot go through the triple combination to Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird on Instagram!

Elpida comes from the ancient Greek word ἐλπίς (elpis) – the personification and spirit of hope in Greek mythology

Inspired by her own Greek and Puerto Rican heritage, as well as her passion for show jumping, Athena Lekkas competes under her brand, Elpida Equestrian. As a 17-year-old junior at The Benjamin School, Lekkas is a determined rider whose goal is to ride at the Grand Prix level. Her newly acquired competition mount, Picobella De Pot, is a Dutch-bred Warmblood mare by I'm Special De Muze, out of Lotus by Elmshorn. Athena and Picobella are aiming to accomplish her FEI goal under the tutelage of Carlo Graziani of Graziani Performance Horses.

For more information on Elpida Equestrian, visit www.ElpidaEquestrian.com.

Follow Athena and Elpida Equestrian on Instagram (@elpida_equestrian)!

All photos courtesy of Equinium Sports Marketing LLC

Media Contact: 
Holly Johnson 
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC 
www.Equinium.com 
holly@equinium.com 
+1 954 205 7992