Uggerhalne, Denmark – June 17, 2017 – After a successful winter show season in Wellington, Florida, Leatherdale Farms’ Louise Leatherdale offered Diane Creech and her daughter, Vanessa Creech-Terauds, a special opportunity to train and compete in Europe during the summer. At the end of May, Fleur de Lis L, Diana C and Chrevis Christo made the journey across the Atlantic Ocean to kickstart their first European competition at the Equitour Aalborg CDIO in Uggerhalne, Denmark.
“It is a pleasure to have Diane and Vanessa compete in Europe this summer,” Louise Leatherdale said. “The shows are well run and offer both horse and rider a chance to experience international competition first hand. The fact that Chrevis Christo and Diana C returned to the region in Denmark where they were bred and raised offered their breeders a chance to connect once again and see that the horses are training properly and are loved! What a joy to hear their breeders praise for these exceptional horses! On to Germany next for further shows and training.”
Creech and the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Chrevis Christo (Chrevis Cavallo – Chrevis La VI, Matador) earned outstanding scores throughout the week in Denmark. In the large Grand Prix class, the pair placed fifth with a score of 68.72 percent and they placed third in the Grand Prix Special with a 71.118 percent.
“Chrevis Christo was so amazing and it was incredible to be in the top three of such a competitive class in Europe,” Creech said. “It was a very proud moment for our entire team!
“Thank you to my daughter, supporter and groom, Vanessa, and especially to Louise Leatherdale for giving us the chance of a lifetime to experience this!” Creech continued. “It makes it even more special that Vanessa and I can do it together and we know it will help in the development of the horses and make us become better riders and trainers.”
Seventeen-year-old Vanessa Creech-Terauds had a stellar season collecting many wins in Wellington aboard Fleur de Lis L (First Dance-EM De La Rosa, De Niro). The 8-year-old Hanoverian mare, stepped up to the Young Rider level this year and together they gained experience and confidence in their first Europe competition. After two solid rides in the Young Rider Team Test and Individual Test, the duo qualified for the Young Rider Freestyle where they earned a 66.275 percent.
“It has been my first time competing overseas and it has been a wonderful experience!” Creech-Terauds said. “I was so proud to represent my country at such a competitive competition. Although Fleur reacted a little bit to the atmosphere, I was still so proud of how she managed in to settle in the end!
“We are moving on to Hagen next,” she continued. “I’m looking forward to making more memories and gaining more experience.”
Creech and Creech-Terauds were pleased with their first European outing and they are looking forward to continuing their training. Their tentative competition schedule will be the CDI3* Hartpury, England, on July 5-9, and the CDI3* Deauville, France, on July 20-23.
