Wellington, FL — February 25, 2018 — All three podium finishers in the Intermediate I Freestyle CDI3*, presented by Wellington Regional Medical Center, topped 72%, but it was Canada’s Diane Creech who emerged triumphant. She scored 72.925% on Louise Leatherdale’s Robbie W on the final day of week seven of the 2018 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Florida.
Creech overtook the long-time leader Jennifer Baumert (USA), who was drawn first to go of the 14 starters and laid down 72.125% on Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Juliano’s Handsome, a 13-year-old Hochadel gelding. The USA’s Melissa Taylor, last to go, pulled out all the stops on Nicole Polaski’s Special D gelding Ansgar. Their 72.275% was enough to slot snugly into second place, handing victory to Creech.
“He was so great in the freestyle; he enjoys the music so much,” said Creech, who was riding to a compilation by Karen Robinson. “Robbie has the best character — he talks in his sleep — and he thinks every human he interacts with is a nice human. He lives in his own little happy bubble because nothing bad has ever happened to him. He’s so laid-back yet so consistent and really loves his job. Grandmothers could go out hacking on him. We call him Perfect Robbie; he’s so much fun to have.”
Creech and Leatherdale found the horse at Blue Hors Stud in Denmark after seeing him on video around six years ago and flying out to try him.
“We knew right away he was the one; you sit on a horse and you just feel connected or you don’t. With him, I was totally connected. He was still very dark dappled grey and his temperament was outgoing — he’s a horse who’s been loved all his life and he believes in the goodness of people. He wakes up happy and goes to bed happy,” added Creech, 55.
The 15-year-old gelding by Rubin Royal out of a mare by Inschallah is so relaxed that even the 27-hour journey by road from Creech’s home base in Canada doesn’t faze him.
“It’s a bit of a hike, but he does not stress,” added Creech, who is hoping to contest the Pan American Games — which are a small tour contest — in Lima, Peru in 2019.
The winner of the two previous small tour classes in week seven, Heather Blitz on Praestemarkens Quatero, had to settle for seventh after an expensive mistake in the pirouette work.
Kerrigan Gluch (USA) was the best of the five entrants in the under-25 Grand Prix Freestyle, coming tantalizingly close to 70%. The 22-year-old rode Hampton Green Farm’s 14-year-old Spanish stallion Bolero CXLVIII to 69.95%.
Diane Creech and Robbie W. Photo by SusanJStickle.com.
Caistor Centre, ON – June 19, 2015 – Diane Creech and Leatherdale Farms’ Robbie W have been selected as reserves for the Canadian dressage team for the upcoming Pan American Games in Toronto. The pair made a strong bid for the team, earning consistently high scores throughout the qualifying process.
Creech and Robbie W, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Rubin Royal, turned in a series of impressive performances at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida over the winter. They scored as high as 73.368 percent in the Intermediaire I and helped the Canadian team win silver at the Stillpoint Farm Nations Cup CDIO3*.
They closed out the qualifying season in May with two competitions in Canada, picking up two wins at the Palgrave CDI3* and scoring 73.105 percent in the Prix St. Georges at the Ottawa CDI3*.
Two big tour and two small tour combinations were selected for the Pan Ams team. Creech and Robbie W finished in third on the small tour ranking list, with their final average of 72.883 percent putting them less than .3 percent behind second place.
“It sure was a very close ending!” Creech said. “‘Perfect Robbie’ gave me his best effort – he is all heart. I am so proud of him.”
The support of Doug and Louise Leatherdale of Leatherdale Farms is essential to Creech’s success with Robbie W, and Creech is grateful for the efforts of her whole team.
“I have been so blessed to have the best owners possible in my life, supporting me,” she said. “Thank you to Robbie’s groom Chris Bacher for always being on my side, Chris Zizian for being the best farrier, my students for cheering us on and patiently waiting for us to come back, and Lars Petersen and Melissa Taylor for their great support and awesome coaching. And of course, thank you to my incredible family who always pull together and make it possible for me to leave.”
She added, “The race is over, and now we are moving on to the fun part: let the Games begin! Best of luck to all of the Canadian teams, especially to our dressage team!”
About Leatherdale Farms
Situated 20 minutes from Minneapolis, MN, Leatherdale Farms is a privately owned farm owned and managed by Louise and Doug Leatherdale and dedicated to Hanoverian, Trakehner and Oldenburg breeding. The Leatherdale family owns several licensed stallions based in Germany at Hengstation Jens Meyer: Hanoverians Dorum, the premium elite, Damsey (Dressage Royal), First Dance (Florestan II), Rob Roy (Rubin Royale), Hampton (His Highness), Beltano (Belissimo M); the premium elite Trakehner, Herzensdieb (Tambour); and the Oldenburg Fairbanks (Flemmingh). Frozen semen is available in North America and Europe. Leatherdale Farms was also the owner of the Licensing Hanoverian stallion His Highness, who died in 2007 and whose progeny is much appreciated all over the world.
To learn about Leatherdale Farms stallions in Europe, go to www.jens-meyer.com.
Wellington, FL – April 7, 2015 – Diane Creech put the final stamp on a successful winter season by taking the podium alongside her Canadian teammates at the Stillpoint Farm Nations Cup CDIO3*. She and Megan Lane, Belinda Trussell and Chris von Martels secured team silver for Canada Team 1 over two days of competition at the Nations Cup.
The Nations Cup and accompanying CDI3*, held March 25-28, marked the close of the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, Florida. Creech competed five of Leatherdale Farms’ top horses throughout AGDF with strong results. Her partner for the Nations Cup was Robbie W, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Rubin Royal.
Creech and Robbie W finished fourth in the Prix St. Georges with a score of 71.868 percent and then improved their score in the Intermediaire I, taking fourth again with 72.474 percent.
“There is a reason why Robbie’s nickname is ‘Perfect Robbie,'” Creech said with a smile. “Doug and Louise Leatherdale and I are so proud that he performed two very consistent tests for our Canada Team 1. He is cool under any circumstance and loves to compete. We congratulate all our team members for achieving personal best scores; it shows high quality performance when your team drop score is over 71 percent! Congratulations also to Canada Team 2 for their great bronze medal finish.”
Creech was thrilled with Robbie’s effort during the Nations Cup and expressed her gratitude to the large support team working behind the scenes.
“Our amazing trainer Lars Petersen did a super job keeping us focused and fresh going into the ring,” she said. “Robbie’s caretaker, Chris Bacher, has probably the most difficult job: making him look white before his performance! It was great having Volker Moritz, our trusted team leader, and Alison Martin from Equine Canada there.”
She added, “It was an exciting event, and I am grateful to Lloyd Landkamer, Thomas Baur and their awesome team at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival for organizing this wonderful competition each year.”
Also stepping up to the plate and putting in great tests at AGDF 12 was Leatherdale Farms’ Diana C, whom Creech rode in the non-Nations Cup small tour. The highlight of the week for the 8-year-old Hanoverian mare by Leatherdale Farms’ own Damsey FRH was a second place finish in the Prix St. Georges with a score of 69.368 percent.
Now that the winter season in Wellington has come to an end, Creech and the Leatherdale horses she rides are back at her home base in Caistor Centre, Ontario, to prepare for spring competitions.
About Leatherdale Farms
Situated 20 minutes from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Leatherdale Farms is a privately owned farm owned and managed by Louise and Doug Leatherdale and dedicated to Hanoverian, Trakehner and Oldenburg breeding. The Leatherdale family owns several licensed stallions based in Dorum, Germany, at Hengststation Jens Meyer: the premium elite Hanoverians Damsey (Dressage Royal), First Dance (Florestan II), Hampton (His Highness), Beltano (Belissimo M); the premium elite Trakehner, Herzensdieb (Tambour); and the Oldenburg Fairbanks (Flemmingh). Frozen semen is available in North America and Europe. Leatherdale Farms was also the owner of the Hanoverian stallion His Highness, who died in 2007 and whose progeny is much appreciated all over the world.
To learn about Leatherdale Farms stallions in Europe, go to www.jens-meyer.com.
Creech and Devon L make their victory lap after winning the Grand Prix Freestyle with a personal best score. Photo by Michael Werner Images.
The Pair Scores a Personal Best
Palgrave, Ontario – June 13, 2014 – Canada’s Diane Creech and Devon L claimed the win in the Grand Prix Freestyle with a 75.10 percent at the CDI-W Spring into Dressage show held at the site of the 2015 Pan American Games near Toronto, Canada, the Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park.
Creech and Devon L, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (De Niro-Wibranda, Wolkenstein II) owned by Leatherdale Farms, notched the win at the competition that served as a World Cup of Dressage qualifier, as well as an official test for the 2015 Pan American Games.
“It was a very exciting phone call to make to my owners, Mr. and Mrs. Leatherdale,” Creech said. “They are so proud of the accomplishment of winning this big event. Devon was breathtaking. He had so much power and still all the focus he needed. We had no mistakes and it was so much fun.”
Creech said she loves the freestyle music created by Karen Robinson and was especially happy to ride and win in front of a home crowd.
“Many friends were sitting and watching and, at the end, cheering,” she said. “The fundraising event from CDAAP [Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program] was incredible and I want to thank Deborah Kinzinger-Miculinic and everybody who helped to make this happen.”
After the ribbon presentation, the winners were treated to special prizes donated by Butternut Ridge and Kinzinger-Miculinic
“I won a big screen TV!” she exclaimed. “This is so generous from Mrs. Kinzinger-Miculinic. I really want to thank her and [Special Advisor for Dressage Canada] Desi Dillingham for making us feel special. Mr. and Mrs. Leatherdale will love the Butternut Ridge sponsored trophy, I will enjoy the TV, and Devon will love all his carrots and a few days off.”
About Leatherdale Farms
Situated 20 minutes from Minneapolis, MN, Leatherdale Farms is a privately owned farm owned and managed by Louise and Doug Leatherdale and dedicated to Hanoverian, Trakehner and Oldenburg breeding. The Leatherdale family owns several licensed stallions based in Germany at Hengstation Jens Meyer: Hanoverians Dorum, the premium elite, Damsey (Dressage Royal), First Dance (Florestan II), Rob Roy (Rubin Royale), Hampton (His Highness), Beltano (Belissimo M); the premium elite Trakehner, Herzensdieb (Tambour); and the Oldenburg Fairbanks (Flemmingh). Frozen semen is available in North America and Europe. Leatherdale Farms was also the owner of the Licensing Hanoverian stallion His Highness, who died in 2007 and whose progeny is much appreciated all over the world.
To learn about Leatherdale Farms stallions in Europe, go to www.jens-meyer.com.
Diane Creech and Chrevis Christo at the Kentucky Dressage Association Spring Warm-Up and 28th Annual Show.
Lexington, KY – June 4, 2014 – Canada’s Diane Creech and Chrevis Christo, an 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Lavallo-Chrevi’s LaVi, Matador) owned by Doug and Louise Leatherdale, won the FEI Advanced Level High Point Award at the Kentucky Dressage Association Spring Warm-Up and 28th Annual Show.
They received high marks from the judges in the FEI Grand Prix, Intermediate A and Intermediaire II at the May 22-25 show in Lexington, KY.
“Mr. and Mrs. Leatherdale and I are very happy with Chrevis Christo,” Creech said. “He is such an exciting horse and already shows so much promise and potential. This is the first year we are competing at this level and he is stepping right up to the challenge.”
The May 24 FEI Intermediaire II class was the highlight of their results where they earned a 73.68 percent from Judge Fran Dearing Kehr. Other results included a 70.857 percent in the Intermediaire A and a 65.5 percent in the FEI Grand Prix.
The partnership of Creech and Christo has steadily improved in the Intermediaire II. At the Adequan Global Dressage Festival series in Wellington, FL, they began the season in early January with a 66.316 percent and by early February, they had increased their scores to 72.105 percent.
“He’s very talented boy and if I may say, he’s a total lovebug, who can’t get enough of smooching his people,” Creech said.
About Leatherdale Farms
Situated 20 minutes from Minneapolis, MN, Leatherdale Farms is a privately owned farm owned and managed by Louise and Doug Leatherdale and dedicated to Hanoverian, Trakehner and Oldenburg breeding. The Leatherdale family owns several licensed stallions based in Germany at Hengstation Jens Meyer: Hanoverians Dorum, the premium elite, Damsey (Dressage Royal), First Dance (Florestan II), Rob Roy (Rubin Royale), Hampton (His Highness), Beltano (Belissimo M); the premium elite Trakehner, Herzensdieb (Tambour); and the Oldenburg Fairbanks (Flemmingh). Frozen semen is available in North America and Europe. Leatherdale Farms was also the owner of the Licensing Hanoverian stallion His Highness, who died in 2007 and whose progeny is much appreciated all over the world.
To learn about Leatherdale Farms stallions in Europe, go to www.jens-meyer.com.
Diane Creech and Diana C. Photos by Susan J. Stickle.
Wellington, FL – May 23, 2014 – Diana C, the talented young mare owned by Leatherdale Farms and ridden by Diane Creech, is already making her owners proud.
The 7-year-old bay Hanoverian mare (Damsey-Belinda, Brentano II) is delivering on the promise she showed at the prestigious Herwart von der Decken-Show in Germany, where she was named champion dressage mare as a 3-year-old. Owners Doug and Louise Leatherdale spotted her there and were immediately drawn to her.
Leatherdale Farms stands Diana C’s sire, Damsey, at stud. Diana C was bred by Charlotte Groenborg.
“I fell in love with her when I saw her in Germany,” Doug Leatherdale said. “We bought her right away and she arrived at our partner farm in Dorum, Hengststation Jens Meyer, that night. I thought she was spectacular and showed so much potential.”
The lightly competed Diana C demonstrated she has what it takes to perform in the show ring during the 2014 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL. She placed in the top two in every outing at AGDF, where she competed at Fourth Level in the national shows.
Her high scores during the circuit included 72.838 percent on Feb. 1 at AGDF 4, 72.162 percent on Feb. 21 at AGDF 7, and 72.568 percent on March 19 at AGDF 11, all of which netted her first place finishes in Fourth Level Test 2.
“It’s very special to have a daughter of Damsey competing for us and to see her doing so well this year in Florida,” Doug Leatherdale noted. “We are excited to see what the future holds for this lovely mare.”
Diana C will eventually move up to the small tour, but Creech is in no rush with the young mare, whom she feels will excel at the FEI levels.
“We’ll work on making her stronger and confirming where she’s at now,” Creech said. “Once she’s really confirmed in that kind of work, going into the small tour is not going to be hard for her. It’s just taking her to shows and getting some experience.”
“There’s a lot more power in there,” she added. “She’s a very, very special mare. I really love her, and she’ll be something really good.”
Creech, who lives in Caistor Centre, Ontario, and rides for Canada, trains and competes numerous horses for the Leatherdales. She earned top placings this season in Florida with her Grand Prix horse, Devon L, and moved Chrevis Christo and Hallmark 3 up to Intermediaire II from the small tour. She is competing both Devon L and Chrevis Christo at the Kentucky CDI3* and national show in Lexington, KY, this weekend.
Creech appreciates the opportunity to bring Diana C up through the levels.
“I am so excited to have the chance to be working with such a top quality mare!” she said. “She already is showing her super talent for the Grand Prix work and is proving more and more that she will also have the nerve to do it. For now, all she needs is continued good experiences in the show ring and to get stronger and more mature over time. I cannot thank Mr. and Mrs. Leatherdale enough for entrusting me with her.”
About Leatherdale Farms
Situated 20 minutes from Minneapolis, MN, Leatherdale Farms is a privately owned farm owned and managed by Louise and Doug Leatherdale and dedicated to Hanoverian, Trakehner and Oldenburg breeding. The Leatherdale family owns several licensed stallions based in Germany at Hengstation Jens Meyer: Hanoverians Dorum, the premium elite, Damsey (Dressage Royal), First Dance (Florestan II), Rob Roy (Rubin Royale), Hampton (His Highness), Beltano (Belissimo M); the premium elite Trakehner, Herzensdieb (Tambour); and the Oldenburg Fairbanks (Flemmingh). Frozen semen is available in North America and Europe. Leatherdale Farms was also the owner of the Licensing Hanoverian stallion His Highness, who died in 2007 and whose progeny is much appreciated all over the world.
To learn about Leatherdale Farms stallions in Europe, go to www.jens-meyer.com.
Diane Creech and Devon L. Photos by Susan J. Stickle.
Wellington, FL – April 11, 2014 – Diane Creech earned high scores and top placings throughout the 2014 Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL. After three intensive months of training and competing her string of horses owned by Leatherdale Farms, the Canadian rider is heading back to her home base in Ontario.
Season highlights for Creech include several top finishes in the Grand Prix Freestyle with Devon L, who racked up many of the highest Freestyle scores among the Canadians competing in Florida. Creech and the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (De Niro-Wibranda, Wolkenstein II) scored an impressive 73.175 percent in the Freestyle at the AGDF 3 CDI-W Jan. 24. Their performance earned them second place behind only Creech’s trainer, Lars Petersen, and ahead of a competitive field including riders from six countries.
Devon L also finished fourth with 72.300 percent in the Freestyle at the AGDF 1 CDI-W and took fifth with 71.950 percent at the AGDF 5 CDI4*.
“This year is the first year that he was really getting into the freestyles and enjoying them, so that was a big step for him,” Creech said. “I think he’s starting to mature a little bit more. It doesn’t take him so much by surprise, and he likes performing for the crowd.”
Along with competing Devon L against the top horses gathered in Wellington for the winter, Creech focused on making steady progress with her other mounts, moving several of them up the levels during her stay. Two Leatherdale Farms-owned horses, Hallmark and Chrevis Christo, worked on the transition from small tour to Intermediaire II. The goal for both horses is to eventually join Devon L at the Grand Prix level.
Chrevis Christo, an 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Lavallo-Chrevi’s La Vi, Matador), won several times and placed in the top two every time he competed at Intermediaire II. He earned consistently high scores, including a 72.105 percent and a 70.592 percent.
Hallmark is a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding by the Leatherdales’ deceased stallion His Highness and out of SPS Lapislazuly by Lancier. He collected scores in the high 60s at Intermediaire II and placed in the top four in large classes each time he came out.
“I’m really excited and happy with them,” Creech said. “It’s a big step up from the small tour to Intermediaire II. I think they did really well. They pulled through, tried hard and demonstrated the great abilities that they have.”
Diane Creech and Diana C
Also moving up in the ranks was the promising Diana C, a 7-year-old Hanoverian mare by the Leatherdales’ stallion Damsey and out of Belinda by Brentano II. She stepped up into Fourth Level in her first time competing in Florida and accumulated several scores in the 70s, indicating she will be one to watch in the future.
“I’m so proud of Diana C,” Creech said. “The Florida season is not an easy task, and she showed that she really fits in. I’m very excited about her.”
While the intense show schedule kept Creech busy, she also devoted plenty of time to educating herself and her horses, working with Lars Petersen to fine-tune her efforts.
“When I come down here, it’s really my training time – we take the horses to the next step with Lars’ training help,” she explained. “Now, they can all look forward to a break when we get home, and then I’ll continue their training. We’ve brought the horses up another level, so my big goal is to confirm what they’ve learned and make it easier in the ring for them.”
“The learning curve here is incredible,” she added. “It’s very important to be here in Florida – that’s what makes you a better rider and trainer. It’s a very competitive environment. You have to come out of your comfort zone and work and improve.”
Creech’s family steps up to take care of her barn while she’s away, making it possible for her to spend the winter developing her horses in Wellington.
“I’m very thankful for the people at home,” she said. “My mother and my sister run my barn while I’m gone, and my mother takes care of my daughter. I also appreciate everyone here who works so hard to run these shows – they need a big thank you in making this happen for us.”
She added that she could not thank her horses’ owners enough for giving her the opportunity to train and compete in Florida each winter.
“I’m so grateful to my owners, Doug and Louise Leatherdale, for all their support and understanding,” she said. “It’s absolutely incredible every year.”
About Leatherdale Farms
Situated 20 minutes from Minneapolis, MN, Leatherdale Farms is a privately owned farm owned and managed by Louise and Doug Leatherdale and dedicated to Hanoverian, Trakehner and Oldenburg breeding. The Leatherdale family owns several licensed stallions based in Germany at Hengstation Jens Meyer: Hanoverians Dorum, the premium elite, Damsey (Dressage Royal), First Dance (Florestan II), Rob Roy (Rubin Royale), Hampton (His Highness), Beltano (Belissimo M); the premium elite Trakehner, Herzensdieb (Tambour); and the Oldenburg Fairbanks (Flemmingh). Frozen semen is available in North America and Europe. Leatherdale Farms was also the owner of the Licensing Hanoverian stallion His Highness, who died in 2007 and whose progeny is much appreciated all over the world.
To learn about Leatherdale Farms stallions in Europe, go to www.jens-meyer.com.
Diane Creech and Devon L. Photos by Susan J. Stickle.
Wellington, FL – March 26, 2014 – Devon L keeps giving owners Doug and Louise Leatherdale of Leatherdale Farms reasons to be proud. The 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (De Niro-Wibranda, Wolkenstein II) has claimed an Adequan/United States Dressage Federation award for the second year in a row, earning recognition as the highest-scoring American Hanoverian Society competitor in the Grand Prix Musical Freestyle.
Devon L, ridden by Diane Creech, earned a score of 70.175 percent in the Freestyle to secure the 2013 award. In 2012, he won both the Grand Prix Open and Grand Prix Musical Freestyle awards and was named the American Hanoverian Society’s FEI Level Horse of the Year.
“We are delighted that Devon L has again been recognized for his achievements,” Doug Leatherdale said. “Louise and I are very pleased with the consistency he has shown by winning this award two years in a row. He and Diane make a wonderful pair, and we’re so thrilled with what he has accomplished.”
As his awards suggest, Devon L consistently shines in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Creech said the music seems to motivate him to try his hardest.
“I am so proud of Devon for winning the Grand Prix Freestyle award for two consecutive years,” she said. “He absolutely loves performing his freestyle. The atmosphere on freestyle night is always special, and Devon seems to enjoy showing himself off to the crowd with his favorite music playing.”
She added that his success is particularly special because the Leatherdales have been involved with him from the very beginning, and he represents the quality of their program. They purchased Devon L’s dam while he was in utero, and he was born and raised at their farm in Minnesota before beginning his competitive career with Creech.
New music and choreography are in place this year to help Devon L reach an even higher level of performance. He has already earned scores of up to 73.175 percent while competing at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in the first months of 2014, and he has netted several top five placings against strong fields of international competitors.
The new freestyle, set to “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities, was choreographed by Karen Robinson of Applause Dressage.
Devon L’s next appearance with Creech riding will be at the AGDF 12 CDI5*, the grand finale of the show series. They have been invited to face off against a strong group of international competitors. The CDI5* is scheduled for March 27-30.
Diane Creech and Diana C
Creech has also been racking up impressive results recently with Diana C, another horse owned by Leatherdale Farms. The 7-year-old Hanoverian mare (Damsey-Belinda, Brentano II) picked up a win and a second place finish in Fourth Level Test 2 at the AGDF 11 National show March 19-20. She earned scores of 72.568 percent and 68.108 percent.
“I just love this special girl!” Creech said. “I am so excited to have the chance to be working with such a top quality mare. She already is showing her super talent for the Grand Prix work and is proving more and more that she will also have the nerve to do it. For now, all she needs is continued good experiences in the show ring and to get stronger and more mature over time. I cannot thank Mr. and Mrs. Leatherdale enough for entrusting me with her.”
About Leatherdale Farms Situated 20 minutes from Minneapolis, MN, Leatherdale Farms is a privately owned farm owned and managed by Louise and Doug Leatherdale and dedicated to Hanoverian, Trakehner and Oldenburg breeding. The Leatherdale family owns several licensed stallions based in Germany at Hengstation Jens Meyer: Hanoverians Dorum, the premium elite, Damsey (Dressage Royal), First Dance (Florestan II), Rob Roy (Rubin Royale), Hampton (His Highness), Beltano (Belissimo M); the premium elite Trakehner, Herzensdieb (Tambour); and the Oldenburg Fairbanks (Flemmingh). Frozen semen is available in North America and Europe. Leatherdale Farms was also the owner of the Licensing Hanoverian stallion His Highness, who died in 2007 and whose progeny is much appreciated all over the world.
To learn about Leatherdale Farms stallions in Europe, go to www.jens-meyer.com.
Diane Creech and Devon L. Photos by Susan J. Stickle.
Wellington, FL – February 12, 2014 – Canadian Grand Prix dressage rider Diane Creech and Devon L continue to impress the judges during the Wellington winter show season.
The pair scored a 65.440 percent in Thursday’s Grand Prix and a 71.950 percent in Friday night’s Grand Prix Freestyle at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) 5 CDI4*.
“I thought that Devon was incredible,” Creech said. “I was really happy with him. Again he proved to me that he is ready for it now. He goes in with the atmosphere and he’s really good. He stays with me. He’s rideable. I’m so excited about him!”
She was pleased with the horse’s performance in the freestyle and his increasing confidence in the ring.
“I think Devon enjoys his music,” she said. “I feel like he’s saying, ‘I really like this. Can we keep on going?’ I think he turned the page.”
Devon L is a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (De Niro – Wibranda, Wolkenstein II) owned by Louise and Doug Leatherdale of Leatherdale Farms. The Leatherdales will come to Florida from Minnesota this weekend to escape the cold and watch Creech work the Leatherdale horses she has in training.
Diane Creech and Chrevis Christo
She also rides Chrevis Christo, an 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Lavallo; Hallmark 3, a 10-year-old Hanoverian by the Leatherdales’ late stallion, His Highness; Diana C, a 7-year-old mare by the Leatherdales’ top Hanoverian stallion, Damsey; and Robbie W, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Rubin Royale.
“It will be really nice to see Doug and Louise,” Creech said. “They can get out of the cold and enjoy the sunshine a bit, so it will be a small holiday for them and they can see the horses train and go. And, we’ll talk a little bit about what our future plans are while they are here.”
She said the Leatherdales have patiently allowed Devon L to mature and she can’t thank them enough for supporting her.
“It just takes time and I’m just so grateful that Doug and Louise were so patient to wait it out – which was not an easy task to do,” she said. “They are so supportive with the young horses and they are giving them time.”
She also brought out another Leatherdale Farms horse, Chrevis Christo (Lavallo – Chrevi’s La Vi, Natador) in the Intermediaire II at the AGDF 5 National show. The pair scored a 66.553 percent on Thursday to secure first place and a 72.105 percent on Friday to take the second place spot, both in FEI Test of Choice classes.
“I think that Christo is really coming along nicely,” Creech said. “He’s developing. He’s getting stronger. We’re super excited about him being our future Grand Prix horse.”
Creech will not compete in this weekend’s AGDF 6 National show and will instead spend time training and making plans for the future with the Leatherdales. She trains with Danish Olympian Lars Petersen in Loxahatchee, FL, and said he has been invaluable in helping her develop the horses.
“Lars has such a wealth of knowledge and we have been working on bringing what we do at home into the warm-up ring and then bringing that into the dressage arena,” she explained. “Lars has a lot of experience with different kinds of horses with different kinds of mindsets. He’s certainly the best person to have by my side to help me. I think Doug and Louise are so happy to have Lars as our trainer.”
Creech expressed her delight in being able to work with the Leatherdales and Petersen.
“I’m probably the luckiest girl in the world,” she said.
About Leatherdale Farms Situated 20 minutes from Minneapolis, MN, Leatherdale Farms is a privately owned farm owned and managed by Louise and Doug Leatherdale and dedicated to Hanoverian, Trakehner and Oldenburg breeding. The Leatherdale family owns several licensed stallions based in Germany at Hengstation Jens Meyer: Hanoverians Dorum, the premium elite, Damsey (Dressage Royal), First Dance (Florestan II), Rob Roy (Rubin Royale), Hampton (His Highness), Beltano (Belissimo M); the premium elite Trakehner, Herzensdieb (Tambour); and the Oldenburg Fairbanks (Flemmingh). Frozen semen is available in North America and Europe. Leatherdale Farms was also the owner of the Licensing Hanoverian stallion His Highness, who died in 2007 and whose progeny is much appreciated all over the world.
To learn about Leatherdale Farms stallions in Europe, go to www.jens-meyer.com.
Diane Creech and Diana C. Photo by Susan J. Stickle.
Wellington, FL – February 4, 2014 – Diane Creech and Diana C showed their hard work at home is paying off as they put in another standout performance in competition. The pair earned a score of 72.838 percent to take first place in Fourth Level Test 2 on Saturday at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 4 National show, held at The Stadium at PBIEC in Wellington, FL.
Creech and Diana C scored in the high 60s in their first show of the season on Jan. 21, and the experience paid off with the impressive results in their second outing. Diana C, a 7-year-old Hanoverian mare (Damsey-Belinda, Brentano II), is owned by Leatherdale Farms.
“Mr. and Mrs. Leatherdale and I could not be any happier with Diana C,” Creech said. “She is getting such great experience and mileage in the show ring.”
Creech has been working with Lars Petersen while in Florida and said Diana C has benefited from the additional guidance.
“Thanks to Lars Petersen, we’ve been getting super training at home,” she said. “Lars is not only great with the more advanced horses, but also with the young, up-and-coming ones. He knows how to develop them from the basic to Grand Prix, and that is what makes him such a great trainer.”
Creech is excited about the potential of the promising young mare and looks forward to seeing what her future holds.
“Mr. and Mrs. Leatherdale are very much enjoying watching Diana C coming more and more into herself,” she said. “We all agree that she is a very special lady!”
Next up for Creech and the Leatherdale Farms horses will be the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 5 CDI4* and National show Feb. 6-9. Creech said Devon L has been training well and will be ready to go for the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle at the CDI4*, while Chrevis Christo will come out for the Intermediaire II at the National show.
About Leatherdale Farms Situated 20 minutes from Minneapolis, MN, Leatherdale Farms is a privately owned farm owned and managed by Louise and Doug Leatherdale and dedicated to Hanoverian, Trakehner and Oldenburg breeding. The Leatherdale family owns several licensed stallions based in Germany at Hengstation Jens Meyer: Hanoverians Dorum, the premium elite, Damsey (Dressage Royal), First Dance (Florestan II), Rob Roy (Rubin Royale), Hampton (His Highness), Beltano (Belissimo M); the premium elite Trakehner, Herzensdieb (Tambour); and the Oldenburg Fairbanks (Flemmingh). Frozen semen is available in North America and Europe. Leatherdale Farms was also the owner of the Licensing Hanoverian stallion His Highness, who died in 2007 and whose progeny is much appreciated all over the world.
To learn about Leatherdale Farms stallions in Europe, go to www.jens-meyer.com.
