Leatherdale Farms’ Performance Horses Wrap Up Tremendously Successful Wellington Competition Season

Wellington, Fla. – April 27, 2017 – The performance horses of Leatherdale Farms experienced a tremendously successful season in Wellington, Florida, for the 2017 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) with riders Sue Blinks, Diane Creech and Vanessa Creech-Terauds. Each rider expertly showcased the talents of the Leatherdale horses, gathering numerous wins and top-three placings in both the CDI and national show rings.

After a stand out start to the season, Sue Blinks continued to find success aboard the 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding Habanero L (His Highness-Wolkenfee, Wolkenstein II). During the seventh week of AGDF, Blinks rode Habanero L to wins in both of their Intermediate I classes in the national show with outstanding scores of 76.579 percent and 71.842 percent. In Week 9, the pair also claimed blue ribbons in their Prix St. Georges class after earning a 72.368 percent, as well as a 69.408 percent in their Intermediate I class.

“Habanero L received nice, high scores from judges that I really respect,” Blinks said. “I was very proud of that. It’s nice that the judges think the same of him as I do.”

After such a successful season, Blinks has set a new goal of debuting Habanero L in the Grand Prix ring.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with his work ethic and consistency in the ring,” she continued. “He really proved himself to me and I’m excited about next season and pushing onward with his training!”

Canadian Grand Prix rider Diane Creech and her daughter, Vanessa Creech-Terauds, also experienced success during this season’s competition in both the national ring and the CDI ring. To kick off the season, Creech and 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding Robbie W (Rubin Royal-Rolling Home) swept the Gold Coast Opener CDI small tour division, earning scores of 71 percent in the Prix St. Georges class and 70.211 percent in the Intermediate I class.

“Robbie W was perfect,” Creech said. “Winning both the first CDI of the season and the last CDI of the season with high scores was a memorable highlight. It was a very exciting season!”

Creech and Robbie W continued their success throughout the season, earning a high score of 71.125 percent in the Intermediate I freestyle in week 7. During week 11, the pair won their Prix St. Georges class with 73.289 percent, took third place in the Intermediate I with 70.57 percent and finished out in the Intermediate I freestyle with an impressive 74.35 percent and second place.

Creech also competed the 6-year-old Hanoverian gelding Dublin L (Damsey-EM Wibranda, Wolkenstein II) for the first time in the third week of competition with impressive scores in Third Level earning 71.515 percent for a second place finish, and 70.606 percent for first place. The combination also earned a score of 72.949 percent in Third Level in the ninth week. Her daughter, Vanessa Creech-Terauds also gained show-ring experience with Dublin L winning both Third Level classes with a 67.436 percent and a 68.205 percent.

“Introducing the talented youngster Dublin to the bustling competition environment in Florida was so much fun!” Creech said. “We both gained such valuable experiences as well as great results throughout the season.”

Though Devon L (De Niro-EM Wibranda, Wolkenstein II), a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding, began the season well with Diane Creech receiving a 70.9 percent in a Grand Prix test, Leatherdale Farms was thrilled with his successful transition to the U25 division. Devon L was competed at the end of season by the 17-year-old Vanessa Creech-Terauds and the pair earned an impressive 71.395 percent in the Grand Prix Young Rider 16-25 class.

“Devon L was fantastic this season,” Creech explained. “Thinking of all the wonderful years Devon L and I have spent together and all the places he has taken me, I will always be grateful to his owner and breeder Louise Leatherdale for supporting us through so many years. Devon L has opened the next chapter in his life and he will now become my daughter, Vanessa’s, schoolmaster.”

Diana C (Damsey FRH-Belinda, Brentano II), a 10-year-old Hanoverian mare was also ridden to successful scores with Creech in Grand Prix classes throughout the season.

“I introduced Diana C to the Grand Prix, where I felt she did great,” Creech said. “She is a pleasure to ride and so eager to learn!”

In addition to competing Devon L and Dublin L, Vanessa Creech-Terauds and the 8-year-old Hanoverian mare Fleur de Lis L (First Dance-EM De La Rosa, De Niro) had fabulous finishes in the Young Rider division of the fifth week, taking a victory in the Young Rider Team test with a 72.105 percent and earning a 71.053 in the Young Rider Individual test. In Week 7, the combination claimed victory yet again the Young Rider Team test with 69.167 percent.

The pair blew away the competition during the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships as part of the AGDF Week 10. Creech-Terauds and Fleur de Lis L swept the Young Rider division, scoring a 70.5 percent in the Young Rider Team test, a 69.167 percent in the Young Rider Individual Test and an impressive 74.725 percent in their Young Rider Freestyle.

“She really always stays with me in the ring and that’s what I love,” Creech-Terauds said. “I really feel that bond with her and we’re so close. Once we get focused and in sync with each other, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Though this was Fleur de Lis L’s first season competing in the Young Rider division, the pair had success in 2016 winning two individual silver medals when they represented the Canadian Junior Team with standout rides at the Adequan®/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships.

“I’d love to thank Louise Leatherdale for helping me and supporting me through all of this,” she continued. “It’s amazing that Fleur is one of her homebred horses by her stallion First Dance, who is in Kentucky. She’s seen Fleur come up the ranks and really prove herself in the show ring, which is so exciting. I’m really grateful to her!”

“The most fun part of the season,” Creech explained, “was when Louise Leatherdale came to visit and watch her horses compete, seeing their growth and development.”

“Competing at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival is always a wonderful opportunity,” Creech concluded. “We are so grateful to Louise for giving us her exceptional support in our pursuit to become better riders and trainers with healthy and happy horses.”

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