Diana C and Chrevis Christo Put in Top Showings for Leatherdale Farms at CornerStone Summer Classic
/Diane Creech rode two of Leatherdale Farms’ horses to great success at the CornerStone Summer Classic in Palgrave, Ontario, Aug. 15-17. The two horses garnered high scores from judges for their smooth movements and graceful tests.
Diana C, a 7-year-old Hanoverian mare (Damsey-Belinda, Brentano II) received an outstanding score of 70.132 percent in the FEI Test of Choice class and took first place. The mare received excellent scores in the 70s earlier this year at Fourth Level and CornerStone marked her first foray into Prix St. Georges.
“She really showed that she has all the talent to compete at these high levels,” said Diane Creech. “She’s very willing and has a great presence, which the judges really liked.”
Creech plans to continue training Diana C in preparation for the Florida season and is very proud of how the young mare responded to the pressure of the show environment.
The up-and-coming Chrevis Christo, an 11-year-old Danish Warmblood (Lavallo-Chrevi’s LaVi, Matador), achieved great results at CornerStone in his Canadian Grand Prix debut after competing just once before at that level in the U.S. His elegant movements and willingness earned the striking gelding a score of 69.233 percent and second place in the class, just a few tenths of a percentage off the first place spot.
“He’s more than willing to do all the movements, and he’s very talented. He shows a lot of expression which is really fantastic,” said Creech. “His pirouettes, passage and piaffe are real highlights of his performances.”
Earlier this year, “Christo” received consistent scores in the upper 60s and often in the 70s for FEI Test of Choice classes at the Intermediaire II level. During his U.S. debut in the Grand Prix at the Kentucky Dressage Association Spring Warm-Up Show in May, he earned a solid 65.5 percent. His improved score at CornerStone shows he’s on an upward trend and hints at an excellent future.
“I want to take my time with him and give him more experience before I take him to a CDI,” said Creech. “I’m certainly hoping that we can declare him for the [Pan-American Games]. Until then, we will work on getting him ready and making him a serious competitor.”
Both horses are learning much from the showing experiences and meeting the challenges of new levels.
“I am very proud of the two horses and the composure they displayed during competition,” said Creech. “They’re getting their feet wet and doing it in style.”
