Graaf Leatherdale T Declared for the United Arab Emirates

Dressage

UAE

Graaf Leatherdale T, a WCYH finalist and international small tour horse, has been declared for the United Arab Emirates.

He is a 14-year old KWPN gelding by Lord Leatherdale out of Pidanka T (by Kennedy x Bustron). He is bred by Mr. Timmers.

WCYH Finalist

Sourced as a young horse by Gert-Jan van Olst, Graaf Leatherdale T was produced to FEI level at Van Olst Horses.

He first hit the spotlight as a 4-year old in 2015 ridden by Carlos Caetano to a fourth place in the 2015 Horsefood Dressage Talent Competition

Under Charlotte Fry he finished 20th in the 2015 Pavo Cup Finals. A year later they represented Great Britain at the 2016 World Young Horse Championships in Ermelo, where they finished 6th in the 5-year old finals. In 2017 they showed at the CDI Compiegne and returned to Ermelo for the WCYH, this time finishing 13th in the 6-year old consolation finals.

Graaf Leatherdale disappeared from the international scene for more than two years to return at small tour level at the 2019 CDI Mechelen, where they were second in the Prix St Georges and 10th in the Inter I Kur.

Another five-year break from the CDI ring came along. In March 2025 the tall bay gelding returned to the ring under Van Olst's new assistant rider, British Lara Butler. She rode him in the small tour and two months later also showed him at the CDIO Lier in May, where they were 6th in the Intermediaire I with 68.039%.

UAE

Graaf Leatherdale T has now been declared for the UAE in the FEI database, although the ownership has not been changed.

The gelding has joined Laura Richardson's string of horses. British born UAE rider Richardson works at The Royal Stables in Abu Dhabi, which also began a big para dressage project for the future.

UAE riders are preparing themselves for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, which will be held at both small and big tour level.