Leatherdale Farms Performance Horses Dominate GAIG/USDF Region 4 Championships

Mason City, Iowa – Oct. 10, 2017 – In the beginning of October, the Leatherdale Farms team travelled to Iowa to compete in the GAIG/USDF Region 4 Championships with great success. Mike Suchanek piloted the talented young horses to multiple championship wins and other exciting results at the regional show that qualified them for the prestigious US Dressage Finals held in Lexington, Kentucky, in November.

The 6-year-old Hanoverian mare Duchess L (Damsey – De La Rosa, De Niro) made a great impression in her large Third Level class of over 30 horses, claiming the Open Championship win with a score of 71.154 percent. She also earned a wildcard for the US Dressage Finals after scoring 70.854 percent in the Second Level Open Championship.

Mike Suchanek and Duchess L

“Duchess is great and keeps proving she is ready for the next step,” Suchanek said. “She continues to prove that nothing is too hard for a Damsey! She did amazing in our test with expressive flying changes and she really showed off her medium trot.”

Hannigan L (EH Herzensdieb – Pia Colada, Pik L), another talented 6-year-old bred and owned by Leatherdale Farms, earned his qualification for the US Dressage Finals placing third in the Third Level Open Championship with a score of 70.577 percent.

“Hannigan is doing well and progressing right along,” Suchanek said. “He’s ready for more and he’s starting to really show off his ability. I expect him to be at Prix St. Georges next year.”

Mike Suchanek and Hannigan L

The 8-year-old Hanoverian gelding Fighting Chance L (First Dance – EM Helia, Hohenstein) collected multiple tricolor ribbons at the championships, clinching the competitive Fourth Level Open Championship with a score of 71.389 percent as well as the Open Prix St. Georges reserve championship.

“It’s his first year competing at a FEI level,” Suchanek explained. “I didn’t go into this show with high expectations, but he came out and earned the reserve championship. He really showed off his abilities! He’s like a sports car and is very easy to adjust in the show ring. On Sunday, he was really listening to me and on the aids. I can’t wait to see what his future holds.”

Following such a great performance in Iowa, the Leatherdale Farms team is thrilled to have qualified all three horses to the US Dressage Finals, which will be held in Lexington, Kentucky, Nov. 9-12.

Mike Suchanek and Fighting Chance L

“We are very happy all three of them qualified and we are expecting to go to Finals,” Suchanek said. “A big thank you to Louise [Leatherdale] for her generosity. We love the opportunity to make her proud each time we go in the ring. We are very proud of these horses and it’s going to be an exciting future for all.

“I also want to thank Alison Sader-Larson for another great year of learning from her, as well as Jessi Lash and my grooms for all their hard work,” he continued. “I’m very fortunate to have such a great team.”

Diane Creech and Leatherdale Farms’ Chrevis Christo Win Dressage at Devon CDI-W Grand Prix

Devon, Pa. – Oct. 4, 2017 – Canadian Grand Prix rider Diane Creech and her daughter, Vanessa Creech-Terauds, had a whirlwind summer training and competing throughout Europe on multiple horses owned by Leatherdale Farms. The experience helped them raise the bar in the ring, which paid off over the weekend with impressive wins at the prestigious Dressage at Devon in Pennsylvania.

On Friday, Sept. 29, Diane Creech claimed the CDI-W Grand Prix with a 70.92 percent aboard Chrevis Christo, a 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Chrevis Cavallo-Chrevis La VI, Matador). The win was special for Creech as she had competed at her first Dressage at Devon 10 years ago and came home then with a Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special win with Leatherdale Farms’ Wiona.

Diane Creech and Chrevis Christo. Photo by Sue Stickle.

“Louise Leatherdale and I are so proud of Chrevis Christo,” Creech said. “This was his first time at Devon as well as his first time competing under the lights. He was super in the atmosphere and steady with me during the Grand Prix. Our time in Europe was amazing and helped to develop Christo into a stronger competitor. Riding amongst so many great riders sharpens both yourself and your horse.”

The pair returned to the Dixon Oval on Saturday evening to earn a 73.15 percent and finish second in the Grand Prix Freestyle.

“It was only our second time showing his freestyle so it still feels a little unfamiliar to the both of us. With a little more routine I believe we can improve our performance much more!” Creech continued. “We will take a few weeks to rest and enjoy hacking in the beautiful Canadian fall weather. Then we will gear up for our Wellington season and hopefully, if the stars align, the World Equestrian Games.”

Vanessa Creech-Terauds and Fleur de Lis L. Photo by Stacy Lynne Photography.

Her 17-year-old daughter, Vanessa Creech-Terauds, also picked up wins during her first time competing at Devon. Though it is her first season competing the 8-year-old Hanoverian mare Fleur de Lis L (First Dance-EM De La Rosa, De Niro) in Young Rider tests Creech-Terauds swept the CDI division. The successful duo won the Team Test with a 68.289 percent, the Individual Test with a 66.816 percent and the Freestyle with a 72.35 percent.

“Sweeping the Young Rider division with Fleur was very exciting!” Creech-Terauds explained. “I was very happy with all three of my rides on Fleur. She stayed focused in the big ring and I was able to confidently ride through all of my tests. I am so grateful to Louise Leatherdale for the incredible opportunity of traveling to Europe recently as it has helped Fleur and I develop our training, which I believe showed in the ring this weekend!”

Creech-Terauds has also been gaining experience in the U25 Grand Prix division with Devon L (De Niro-EM Wibranda, Wolkenstein II), a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding. The gelding has had a successful Grand Prix career with Creech and during the winter season in Wellington transitioned to teaching Creech-Terauds the Grand Prix ropes. The pair earned solid scores in Pennsylvania and kept improving as the weekend went on with a 63.632 percent in the Intermediate II, a 67.884 percent in the U25 Grand Prix and concluded the show with a 68.775 percent in the Freestyle.

Vanessa Creech-Terauds and Devon L. Photo by Sue Stickle.

“Competing Devon is such an amazing learning opportunity!” Creech-Terauds said. “It has been a big step moving up to the U25 division and I am very thankful to both Louise and my mom for allowing me to take this step on such an experienced horse. Devon has helped me progress my riding and showing at Devon, with Devon, was really a dream come true! I was very happy with the improvements we made with each test and look forward to continuing to grow and learn from him!”

Leatherdale Farms’ Stunning Oldenburg Stallion Fairbanks Produces Quality Progeny

Union, Ky. – Aug. 22, 2017 – Since moving to the United States in December 2015, the reception for the Leatherdale Farms’ stallions has been incredibly exciting. One of the stallions, Fairbanks, a stunning 10-year-old Oldenburg stallion, has rejuvenated many breeders’ interest in producing high quality sport horses in the United States.

From some of the world’s most sought after bloodlines, Fairbanks (Flemmingh-SPS Identify, Inselfurst) was the champion of the 2009 Oldenburg Stallion Licensing in Vechta, Germany. Fairbanks demonstrated elegant movement, explosive jumping capabilities and a charming temperament with a desire to please.

“Fairbanks has three beautiful and very elegant gaits with a lot of presence,” explained Dr. Barbara Schmidt, D.V.M., of Bridlewood Farm. “When you see him move, it’s pretty incredible.”

Fairbanks passed his 30-Day Test with flying colors and he came in third place with a score of 8.74. He earned a 9.25 in rideability and scored 8.75 for jumping in a pool of 49 stallions, some of which included Bundeschampionate winners, licensing champions and top-priced stallions from around the world.

Continuing his success, Fairbanks was the only stallion to earn a score over 100 in both jumping and dressage in his 70-Day Test and his 100-Day Test in 2011. He showcased his confidence, talented rhythm and athleticism under saddle. Since then, Fairbanks has succeeded at the most advanced levels.

“Fairbanks is very exciting. He is a stallion that has very good gaits and a wonderful temperament, which he has had since he was a youngster in Germany,” explained Holly Simensen, the North American Director of the Oldenburg Horse Breeders’ Society. “During his licensing, he was quite cooperative and showed himself off very well. I think we are now seeing his personality and grounded mind through his offspring as I have not seen one yet that has been the slightest bit silly. His offspring have been very focused, balanced and know where their bodies are.”

Quality Offspring

Fairbanks presented his first outstanding foal crop and his progeny are expressive with long lines, beautiful heads and necks and outstanding movement. At the 2011 Oldenburg licensing, Fairbanks was awarded the 1c-Premium due to his exceptional Stallion Test results, impressive foals and his overall development as a top breeding stallion.

Fassbender CF (Fairbanks- SPS De Lovely, Dormello, Rubinstein). Owned by Nancy Holowesko.

“I believe Fairbanks added type and overall athletic ability to my SPS Dormello mare, De Lovely,” Nancy Holowesko explained about her 2017 Fairbanks colt. “The quality of conformation is excellent, and he has three solid gaits. We were very happy with the colt and bred back to Fairbanks!”

Fairbanks is registered GOV and ARS and is now located at Bridlewood Hanoverians in Union, Kentucky. Currently, his older offspring are beginning their under saddle careers with exceptional expectations.

“Fairbanks is uncomplicated in temperament, which he passes along to his young offspring who are very rideable and versatile,” said Dr. Schmidt.

On July 4, a colt by Fairbanks was born in Ocala, Florida, at Prosperity Farms. Owned by international Grand Prix dressage rider Jane Cleveland, Film Star (Fairbanks-Rodeo Queen) has long legs, a beautiful neck and gorgeous head. At his inspection, Film Star was awarded Premium Foal and Foal of Distinction by the Oldenburg Horse Breeders’ Society.

“I competed his dam, Rodeo Queen, up through Grand Prix, including the Intermediate I Championships at Gladstone in 2012 and we were also on the inaugural Nations Cup bronze medal team that year, and retired her last year to breed her,” Cleveland explained. “She is one of my very favorite horses and I especially wanted a foal from her. I’ve also long wanted to be a breeder, so this was my chance.”

2017 Colt Film Star (Fairbanks-Rodeo Queen, Rotspon). Owned by Jane Cleveland.

“She was a very forward, powerful horse to ride – not for the faint of heart, so I was looking for a lighter, more modern type for her,” she continued. “As it happens, I was at the Oldenburg Stallion Licensing in 2009 when Fairbanks won and I didn’t forget him. He was the favorite of the judges and the crowd.

“My colt, Film Star, is very uphill and is quite agile,” Cleveland concluded. “He is reactive, but not afraid, and he looks to have a good mind!”