Devon, Pa. – Oct. 4, 2017 – Canadian Grand Prix rider Diane Creech and her daughter, Vanessa Creech-Terauds, had a whirlwind summer training and competing throughout Europe on multiple horses owned by Leatherdale Farms. The experience helped them raise the bar in the ring, which paid off over the weekend with impressive wins at the prestigious Dressage at Devon in Pennsylvania.
On Friday, Sept. 29, Diane Creech claimed the CDI-W Grand Prix with a 70.92 percent aboard Chrevis Christo, a 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Chrevis Cavallo-Chrevis La VI, Matador). The win was special for Creech as she had competed at her first Dressage at Devon 10 years ago and came home then with a Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special win with Leatherdale Farms’ Wiona.
“Louise Leatherdale and I are so proud of Chrevis Christo,” Creech said. “This was his first time at Devon as well as his first time competing under the lights. He was super in the atmosphere and steady with me during the Grand Prix. Our time in Europe was amazing and helped to develop Christo into a stronger competitor. Riding amongst so many great riders sharpens both yourself and your horse.”
The pair returned to the Dixon Oval on Saturday evening to earn a 73.15 percent and finish second in the Grand Prix Freestyle.
“It was only our second time showing his freestyle so it still feels a little unfamiliar to the both of us. With a little more routine I believe we can improve our performance much more!” Creech continued. “We will take a few weeks to rest and enjoy hacking in the beautiful Canadian fall weather. Then we will gear up for our Wellington season and hopefully, if the stars align, the World Equestrian Games.”
Her 17-year-old daughter, Vanessa Creech-Terauds, also picked up wins during her first time competing at Devon. Though it is her first season competing the 8-year-old Hanoverian mare Fleur de Lis L (First Dance-EM De La Rosa, De Niro) in Young Rider tests Creech-Terauds swept the CDI division. The successful duo won the Team Test with a 68.289 percent, the Individual Test with a 66.816 percent and the Freestyle with a 72.35 percent.
“Sweeping the Young Rider division with Fleur was very exciting!” Creech-Terauds explained. “I was very happy with all three of my rides on Fleur. She stayed focused in the big ring and I was able to confidently ride through all of my tests. I am so grateful to Louise Leatherdale for the incredible opportunity of traveling to Europe recently as it has helped Fleur and I develop our training, which I believe showed in the ring this weekend!”
Creech-Terauds has also been gaining experience in the U25 Grand Prix division with Devon L (De Niro-EM Wibranda, Wolkenstein II), a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding. The gelding has had a successful Grand Prix career with Creech and during the winter season in Wellington transitioned to teaching Creech-Terauds the Grand Prix ropes. The pair earned solid scores in Pennsylvania and kept improving as the weekend went on with a 63.632 percent in the Intermediate II, a 67.884 percent in the U25 Grand Prix and concluded the show with a 68.775 percent in the Freestyle.
“Competing Devon is such an amazing learning opportunity!” Creech-Terauds said. “It has been a big step moving up to the U25 division and I am very thankful to both Louise and my mom for allowing me to take this step on such an experienced horse. Devon has helped me progress my riding and showing at Devon, with Devon, was really a dream come true! I was very happy with the improvements we made with each test and look forward to continuing to grow and learn from him!”
