The 1994 born Zweibrucken licensed stallion Leonberg has been officially retired from competition. Under Danish Mikala Gundersen, Leonberg competed on the Danish team at the 2009 CDIO Aachen and CDIO Rotterdam.
Bred by Christine Paetzo D'blum, Leonberg is by Lonely Boy xx out of Romina Power (by Ramiros x Grandus). He became reserve licensing champion at the 1996 Zweibrucker Stallion Licensing.
In the early 2000s Dr. Cesar Parra discovered the stallion in Germany and he was acquired by his sponsor at the time, Anne Sparks of Horses Unlimited. The pair qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games but Parra chose to ride Anne's other Grand Prix horse Galant du Serein. In 2005 Parra and Leonberg competed at the CDI Devon to finish second in the Grand Prix Special with 67.458%.
After a period of injury Leonberg went into training with Wellington based Danish rider Mikala Gundersen in November 2007. She brought him back to the international Grand Prix ring. The show season of 2009 was their best together as they were selected on the Danish team for Aachen and Rotterdam. They also finished 6th at the 2009 Danish Dressage Championships in Broholm.
2010 had its ups and downs. The pair started out the season with excellent scores in Florida, including a 5th place in the World Dressage Masters Grand Prix, kur but their European tour did not go as well as planned. At the 2010 CDIO Aachen the stallion was very spooky in the Grand Prix Special and at the Danish Championships they withdrew after the Grand Prix. Nonetheless, Gundersen and Leonberg were a gorgeous pair to watch in the ring.
Leonberg has now moved Maryland, USA, where he will join Horses Unlimited's Pik L to stand at stud at Hassler Dressage. "We welcome this opportunity to partner with Ann Sparks in offering these classy stallions to our breeders and anticipate each making a great impact in our program," said Susanne Hassler. "We're excited to share that our working student and FEI Junior Rider, Kya Endreson has the ride on Pik L this season and we look forward to their success!"
Mikala commented that, "I'm very pleased that he has gone to the Hassler Family and I'm sure he will enjoy his life there and get lots of mares. Also a big Thank You to Anne Sparks for letting me ride Leonberg. Now it's time to move on with beautiful Leonora."
Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Leonberg
2009 Danish Dressage Championships - 2010 Danish Dressage Championships