USU alumna takes up professional skijoring

Leanna Lewis Francis has been chasing adrenaline since she first climbed into a saddle at the age of four. That early spark has since grown into a competitive drive that sets her apart — one defined by speed, creativity and an unshakable desire to win. 

Eleven years ago, Francis attended a skijoring competition with her husband, Brandon Francis, and was immediately hooked. She had previously competed in other horseback events like race barrels and rodeo queen and loved the fast-paced, competitive environment that skijoring provided.  

“It was just one more thing to compete in that sounded like a blast,” Leanna said. 

Leanna loves the feeling she gets from riding her horse and appreciates the precision required for pulling a skier or snowboarder behind her. She has to make sure they are in the perfect position to make it through the gates, land the jumps and reach the rings placed throughout the course. 

“It’s a high-adrenaline, extreme sport,” Leanna said. “It’s just so much fun.” 

Leanna’s competitive nature has driven her to do well in her sport. She has competed in races in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, earning several awards. She works hard and always strives to do the best she can. 

Brandon said no matter how well Leanna does, she is always looking for ways to improve. 

“She’s just driven to find a way to win,” Brandon said. “She finds it fun and thrilling and exhilarating, but is always biting at the edge when she doesn’t win. She always wants perfection and wants to be on the top.” 

In her most recent competition, Leanna raced twice in pro, once in the women’s division and once in the snowboarding division. Her race times were 17.97 seconds, 14.16 seconds, 21.03 seconds and one scratch. 

“It’s been fun to watch as she’s progressed and gone from just enjoying it to really wanting to get after it,” Brandon said. “She’s always going to be the one that’s going for it.” 

This year, practicing has been made difficult due to the lack of snow. However, Brandon works with snowmaking companies that allow for competitions to still take place. 

In situations like these, Leanna said she just has to show up and do her best. She is confident in her abilities and prioritizes the safety of her horse, the skier or snowboarder and herself while going as fast as possible. 

Leanna rides three horses: Wraith, Vegas and Phoenix. She spends a lot of time caring for her horses and has developed a bond of trust between her and her horses. 

“She can just let the horse unleash and have fun together,” Brandon said. “It gets her excited when the skiers are just like, ‘Let’s just go for it and have fun.’” 

Leanna’s love for the sport extends beyond just competing. She is encouraging to others and helps them get involved, according to Brandon. 

“She finds ways to help grow the sport and to grow the event,” Brandon said. “She invites people to come. She invites people to watch. She invites people to participate.” 

Branon said Leanna has helped other skijorers grow their skill by getting them on a horse or behind a horse and giving them the opportunity to try it. 

She opened the opportunity to her two daughters who wanted to get involved after watching Leanna compete. 

“They were so excited about it. They loved it,” Leanna said. “We selected very specific horses to put them on to start with, and then it just kind of went from there.” 

Their daughters now compete with Leanna and Brandon each year. 

According to Brandon, Leanna’s hard work and drive to help others lead her to do well in more areas than competing. She graduated from USU in interior architecture and design and owns an interior design and home staging company called Kochell Interior Design. 

Leanna said her work as an interior designer acts as a creative outlet that can also make a positive impact on her clients. 

“I love the whole ‘taking in space and making it into something that the other person wants to spend their time in and enjoy,’” Leanna said. “I enjoy working with people and creating things for them.” 

No matter what it is that she does, Leanna said she strives to help others and be the best she can be.