Skip to content

Obituary – Leslie Parker




Morgan horseman, Leslie Parker, 71, a longtime resident of Amenia, New York, died on Saturday, August 8, 2015. 

Born on November 3, 1943 in Baltimore, Les was the son of the late Joseph E. and Marie E. (Hicks) Parker. He was predeceased by his wife, Marie (Cambridge) Parker on March 25, 1988. Mr. Parker was a member of the American Morgan Horse Association and the U.S. Equestrian Federation. He was a 2008 AMHA Golden Reins awardee and was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, NY.

Les devoted his life to a professional career as a horseman who contributed to the advancement, development, and presentation of the Morgan horse. He spent most of career as part of his family’s Joe Parker Stables in Amenia alongside his father and brothers. Some of the famed horses included Bennfield’s Ace, Special Kay, Shaker’s Destry, and Paramount’s Highness. Les and his brother Bill established the picture of the in-hand presentation excellence with that special flare and showmanship that was called “The Parker Brothers” style. 

With UC Ringmaster, Les won the World Champion English Pleasure title at Oklahoma in 1991 and returned to do it again in 1993. This was a very special combination and anyone who saw it will remember it forever. Les got that big chestnut so brilliant at the trot; squatting down behind and so lofty up front that it made your hair stand up on end. But the victory passes Les and Ringmaster made out in Oklahoma were even better. Though normally a quiet, unassuming man, Les had a unique pass for the Oklahoma crowd, he put the reins in his teeth and Ringmaster just kept pumping that awesome trot in perfect form, the crowd just loved to see that man and that horse in perfect partnership.

Les is survived by his son, Leslie M. Parker, Jr. and four brothers, Joseph, William, Hugh, and Bernard. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a son, Brian, and a sister, Dorothy Parker.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2678 South Road, Suite 103, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601. For directions or to send the family an online condolence, please visit www.hufcutfuneralhome.com.

 

 

Leslie Parker aboard World Champion UC Ringmaster

More Stories

  • Latest Issue 2 25 HW

    Read More
  • ASHBA Annual Meeting Highlights

    The annual meeting of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association saw a substantial turnout of membership. More than half of the active, eligible members at the time of the vote let their voices be heard either in person or by proxy on two topics: a bylaw amendment proposal and the vote to elect two people to represent the membership on the nominating committee for the board of directors. Read More
  • Morgan Stallion Sweeps Date Changed

    The New England Regional Morgan Horse Show and Association along with the United Breeders Committee announces a date change for the upcoming Morgan Stallion Sweeps drawing to March 15th. Read More
  • AHHS Board of Director Election Results

    The results are in and the AHHS would like to congratulate the five successful candidates on their election to the AHHS Board! The five candidates elected are Chris Gantley, Maureen Quackenbush, Bryan Earehart, Amber Kildow, and Melissa Moore. Read More
  • Latest Issue 2 10 25

    Read More
  • Update on ASHBA Website

    Earlier today, we noticed that the server that supports the ASHBA database was experiencing a lot of activity. After a brief investigation, we discovered that certain parts of the system were being hit almost constantly and slowing down the server. This was leading to performance issues across the board. We pulled server logs and saw more than 77,000 requests for show results for this morning alone. Read More
  • Over $60,000 Raised At New York Morgan Stallion Service Auction

    It was a new year and a new committee for the New York Morgan Stallion Service Auction. With committee members emeriti Ivan Beattie and Lynn Peeples, Chairperson Jennifer Peek focused on the young trainers in the New York area, tapping Anna Kufs, Chris Bernard, Keith Friday, Lindsay Perry Atkinson, Rebecca Arotsky and Will Vidler, and Tuffy Owens to fill out the revamped team. Read More
  • Topping The Ladies Division

    Read More
  • 2025 Annual Membership Meeting of American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association

    The Annual Membership Meeting of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association, Inc. will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 2 pm EST at the Lexington Marriott City Center, 121 West Vine Street, in Lexington, KY.  Read More
  • Michigan Morgan Horse Breeders Futurity Activities

    The Michigan Morgan Horse Breeders Futurity (MMHBF) will host its annual stallion service auction on Saturday, March 1, with a full day of activities on Friday, February 28. The events will be held in the Middlebury, Indiana area with the Hampton Inn serving as the host hotel.  Read More