This story originally appeared in the January 2026 issue of Premier.
Vendors are an integral part of the horse show experience. Over the years, The Premier has been fortunate to welcome an exceptional group of vendors, many of whom return year after year, supporting our exhibitors and elevating the event. This new series highlights the people behind the brands and services who play a vital role in our community.
For Dr. Leah Van Blarcom, the path to becoming The Equestrian Chiropractor was never planned. It was shaped by loss, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to doing right by both horses and the people who love them.
Leah’s journey began early—at just six years old—when she first stepped into the show pen. Horses were woven into her childhood, guided by her father and his close friend Gene Parker, and later shaped through the mentorship of David Connors and Nancy Sue Ryan. Horses weren’t just a hobby for Leah; they were home. But life, as it often does, asked her to take a detour. After losing both of her parents by the time she was 21, she stepped away from the horse world entirely, focusing on her education and following a different calling.
That path led Leah to earn a doctorate in chiropractic and open a successful human practice in New Jersey, where she grew up. For ten years, she built a thriving clinic—until the world came to a standstill in 2020. When COVID shut her doors, Leah saw an unexpected opening. Rather than wait, she listened to the quiet pull that had never really left. She closed her practice, headed south, and returned to the horses—this time with healing hands and a renewed sense of purpose.
Today, as The Equestrian Chiropractor, Leah provides chiropractic care for equine athletes, their riders, and canine companions, working out of Ocala, Florida, and travelling to horse shows across the country. But her turning point didn’t come without hardship. Just weeks before her first NSBA World Championship Show in 2022, Leah was involved in a serious horse-related accident. She was kicked in the back, shattering her rib cage and rupturing her spleen, landing her in the ICU in North Carolina. She was released from the hospital just three days before she was scheduled to fly out for the show.
When she arrived in Tulsa, she was still in significant pain and unsure if she could physically make it through the week. Alone in her hotel room she cried, wondering if she had pushed herself too far. But she showed up anyway. She began working on horses and riders, many of whom were struggling before their classes, building trust one adjustment at a time. Soon, those horses and riders began to win. In that moment, everything clicked. This was where she was meant to be.
Leah’s “why” is rooted in lived experience. She knows firsthand how challenging it can be to access quality care while navigating the demands of showing. Being able to support both horse and rider—especially on the road—is what drives her. What truly sets Leah apart isn’t just her expertise, but her approach. She meets each client with kindness, empathy, and a conscious effort to leave ego at the stall door.
There are misconceptions of course—like the idea that chiropractic is simply “cracking bones.” Behind the scenes, the work requires extensive licensure, ongoing continuing education across multiple states, and constant dedication. It’s demanding, but Leah approaches it with integrity, supported by a trusted circle of mentors, veterinarians, lawyers, and friends who help her navigate both business and life.
The past year brought its share of challenges, reminding Leah to stay the course and remain grounded in her values. Still, she wouldn’t trade the lifestyle. She calls herself a “gypsy soul,” fueled by the open road, the horse show family she reunites with along the way, and the fulfillment that comes when a client calls to say they—or their horse—are finally moving better.
What Leah wants people to understand most is that chiropractic care is a process. Healing takes consistency, honesty, and partnership. It’s not a quick fix—it’s a commitment. And that same philosophy guides how she lives and works: trust the process, surround yourself with good people, and don’t be afraid to take the leap even when the plan isn’t fully formed.
Looking back, one conversation with a trainer who encouraged her to “come to the shows” changed everything for Leah. She took a chance, trusted the universe, and built something meaningful—without a roadmap, but with heart.
And if you ask what she hopes people feel when they work with her? Trust. Connection. And the reassurance that they’re in capable, compassionate hands every step of the way.
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