Leslie R. Grimm, Mendham, N.J., a lifelong equestrian, died at home on July 2 after a courageous battle against cancer. She was 61.

Mrs. Grimm was born in Kew Gardens, N.Y., and grew up in Plandome, N.Y. She attended Mount Ida College (Mass.) and Chamberlain College (Mass.).

After her marriage in 1967 she resided in Jacksonville, N.C., and Potomac, Md., before moving to New Jersey. She was also a longtime resident of Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in Wellington, Fla.

Mrs. Grimm began riding at age 6 and competed at the amateur level through college and was a pleasure rider throughout her life. She was involved in fundraising for the U.S. Equestrian Team and was chairman of several successful fund-raising events in the 1980s and ’90s.

As an owner, she actively campaigned show jumpers through the grand prix level, including Above All, who won the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix (Vt.) in 1998 with Michael Matz.

In 1998 she established a small Thoroughbred racing and breeding operation that campaigned several prominent graded stakes-winning horses.

Mrs. Grimm is survived by her husband, Peter Grimm, two sons, Peter Grimm Jr., and Brian Grimm, and her brother, Randolph Reynolds.

Memorial donations may be made to the Leslie R. Grimm Memorial Fund, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, c/o Morristown Memorial Hospital Foundation, 100 Madison Ave., Morristown, NJ 07926-1956.