Lekkas Closes Summer '24 with WEC Internship and 1.20-1.25M Advancement

Athena Lekkas and Picobella De Pot (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)

Athena and WEC's Director of Food & Beverage, Jeremy Gow, in the International Arena

Athena and WEC's Director of Lodging, Olivia Hoblit at the Riding Academy Hotel

Ocala, FL (September 6, 2024) - Seventeen-year-old Athena Lekkas spent the end of her summer making big progress in the equestrian industry, both in the saddle and out. The Palm Beach Gardens resident spent a week at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) Ocala participating in a hospitality internship at the Riding Academy Hotel, a newly built property on the show grounds. After getting an inside look at this amazing facility, she joined up with trainer Carlo Graziani to show her mare, Picobella De Pot (I'm Special De Muze x Lotus x Elmshorn), in the 1.20-1.25M Jumpers to wrap up a productive summer.

Under the guidance of the Director of Lodging, Olivia Hoblit, and the Director of Food & Beverage, Jeremy Gow, Lekkas experienced everything from engineering to food & beverage at the prestigious hotel and show venue. As one of Florida's premier equestrian facilities, WEC Ocala includes two hotels, multiple restaurants, shops, an international stadium, multiple air-conditioned indoor arenas, outdoor arenas, pastures, trails, and more.

"It was a really great experience," said Lekkas of her internship at WEC. "I've shown and stayed here many times but to see what really goes into the day-to-day running of such an amazing venue was just incredible. Everyone was exceptionally helpful and welcoming, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to show here and possibly contribute more to the facility in the future."

With Picobella De Pot, known as Bella around the barn, Lekkas jumped the 1.20-1.25M Jumpers and Classic at WEC the following weekend. The pair have been together a year this September, and moved up to the 1.20M level in the spring. With just a few unlucky rails in Ocala and solid rounds during the ESP Summer II in Wellington, Lekkas plans to make her mark with Bella during the Fall, Holiday, and WEF circuits in the coming months with the coaching of Carlo Graziani from Graziani Performance Horses in Wellington.

Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

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 senior at The Benjamin School, Lekkas is a determined rider whose goal is to ride at the Grand Prix level. She acquired Picobella De Pot, a Dutch-bred Warmblood mare by I'm Special De Muze, out of Lotus by Elmshorn, in the fall of 2024 as her main competition mount. 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