The United States Dressage Federation announced their year-end national awards on 21 October and Louise Leatherdale received the 2016 USDF Dressage Breeder of the Year award. With a median score of 238, Leatherdale, along with her late husband Doug, was recognized for their high-quality Hanoverian breeding program.
Each of the young sport horses who contributed their impressive averages were sired by Leatherdale Farms' stallions including Damsey FRH, E.H. Herzensdeib and His Highness.
"I could not be more proud of the Leatherdale Farms team that made this possible," Louise Leatherdale said. "What a joy it is to see young horses meet their potential at each level they reach in dressage. Our rider, Mike Suchanek, our performance horse manager, Jessi Lash, our coach, Alison Sader-Larson and our grooms has proved to be such a successful team the past few years with their excellent work. They outdid themselves this year!"
The five-year-old Hanoverian mare Duchess L (by Damsey x De Niro) has had a standout year winning the USDF First Level Dressage Horse of the Year with a median score of 77.794 percent. She also won the First Level Open All-Breed Award for the American Hanoverian Society.
Hannigan L (by Herzensdieb x Pik L) placed second in the nation for the USDF Second Level Dressage Horse of the Year with a median score of 74.086 percent. The five-year-old Hanoverian gelding came away with the win as the highest placing horse for the Second Level Open All-Breed Award for the American Hanoverian Society.
Delta L (by Damsey x Weltbekannt) placed seventh in the nation for the USDF Training Level Dressage Horse of the Year with a median score of 76.364 percent. In the Training Level Open All-Breed Award for the American Hanoverian Society, the five-year-old mare placed third in the nation.
The 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding Hero L (by His Highness x Wolkenstein II) earned a median score of 72.009 percent and placed tenth in the nation for the USDF Prix St. Georges Horse of the Year. Hero L also placed eighth for the USDF Intermediate 1 Horse of the Year with a median score of 71.119 percent. He won the Prix St. Georges, as well as the Intermediate 1, Open All Breed Awards for the American Hanoverian Society.
"Our entire team at Leatherdale Farms is really excited," Mike Suchanek explained. "I'm so honored and happy to be working for such a great owner and breeder. It takes a whole team and I'm so thankful to be surrounded by great people who work hard to show off these remarkable athletes! I'm very proud to be able to train and show Leatherdale Farms' amazing horses and continue their legacy of breeding such high quality Hanoverians."
Photos © LL-foto - Annan Hepner
Related Links
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Doug Leatherdale Passed Away
Doug Leatherdale, 2006 Dressage Canada Owner of the Year
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