Van den Broeck's Polish Team Pony Langetoftegard Leandro Retired from Sport

Dressage

Poland

Polish international junior rider Ann van den Broeck has announced the retirement from sport of her pony, Langtoftegard Leandro.

Leandro is a 13-year old Danish purebred Connemara by Sternbergs Larry Junior out of Barholts Rosaleen (by Oxenholm Markbook x Rosenaharley Lavelle x Padraig of Rosenaharley). He is bred by Annette Villebaek in Fjenneslev, Denmark.

Ann van den Broeck

The grey gelding was matched to Polish Ann van den Broeck from an early age.

The family acquired Leandro in 2014 when he was only four years old for their 8-year old daughter Ann.

"I was progressing with him as a baby," Ann reminisced. "I rode on side reins in L-class. I took part in the Polish Championships in 2017, which took place in Strzegom. I won. He was and is every child's dream."

Polish Team Pony

The pair made its international show debut at the CDI Zakrzow (POL) in April 2019 and competed in Mariakalnok and Hagen that year to clinch their first Polish team nomination for the 2019 European Pony Championships in Strzegom (POL), where they finished 30th in the individual test with 68.027%.

They continued on riding two further European Pony Championships: in Pilisjaszfalu (HUN) in 2020 where they were 18th in the Kur to Music Finals and in 2021 back in Strzegom (POL), where they finished 26th in the individual test with 70.459%

The 2021 European Pony Championships was Leandro's last international show. In 2022 Van den Broeck moved to junior level with the now 7-year old Hanoverian Bon Bailador (by Bon Coeur x Shalimaro).

Retirement

Van den Broeck announced Leandro's retirement on her Instagram page.

"This pony has given me so many first places, so many trophies," she said " To be ranked 18 worldwide. Amazing what I achieved with this pony. Now Leandro will have a the best life in Płochocin meadows."