Wellington, FL – March 26, 2014 – Devon L keeps giving owners Doug and Louise Leatherdale of Leatherdale Farms reasons to be proud. The 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (De Niro-Wibranda, Wolkenstein II) has claimed an Adequan/United States Dressage Federation award for the second year in a row, earning recognition as the highest-scoring American Hanoverian Society competitor in the Grand Prix Musical Freestyle.

Devon L, ridden by Diane Creech, earned a score of 70.175 percent in the Freestyle to secure the 2013 award. In 2012, he won both the Grand Prix Open and Grand Prix Musical Freestyle awards and was named the American Hanoverian Society’s FEI Level Horse of the Year.

“We are delighted that Devon L has again been recognized for his achievements,” Doug Leatherdale said. “Louise and I are very pleased with the consistency he has shown by winning this award two years in a row. He and Diane make a wonderful pair, and we’re so thrilled with what he has accomplished.”

As his awards suggest, Devon L consistently shines in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Creech said the music seems to motivate him to try his hardest.

“I am so proud of Devon for winning the Grand Prix Freestyle award for two consecutive years,” she said. “He absolutely loves performing his freestyle. The atmosphere on freestyle night is always special, and Devon seems to enjoy showing himself off to the crowd with his favorite music playing.”

She added that his success is particularly special because the Leatherdales have been involved with him from the very beginning, and he represents the quality of their program. They purchased Devon L’s dam while he was in utero, and he was born and raised at their farm in Minnesota before beginning his competitive career with Creech.

New music and choreography are in place this year to help Devon L reach an even higher level of performance. He has already earned scores of up to 73.175 percent while competing at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in the first months of 2014, and he has netted several top five placings against strong fields of international competitors.

The new freestyle, set to “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities, was choreographed by Karen Robinson of Applause Dressage.

Devon L’s next appearance with Creech riding will be at the AGDF 12 CDI5*, the grand finale of the show series. They have been invited to face off against a strong group of international competitors. The CDI5* is scheduled for March 27-30.

Creech has also been racking up impressive results recently with Diana C, another horse owned by Leatherdale Farms. The 7-year-old Hanoverian mare (Damsey-Belinda, Brentano II) picked up a win and a second place finish in Fourth Level Test 2 at the AGDF 11 National show March 19-20. She earned scores of 72.568 percent and 68.108 percent.

“I just love this special girl!” Creech said. “I am so excited to have the chance to be working with such a top quality mare. She already is showing her super talent for the Grand Prix work and is proving more and more that she will also have the nerve to do it. For now, all she needs is continued good experiences in the show ring and to get stronger and more mature over time. I cannot thank Mr. and Mrs. Leatherdale enough for entrusting me with her.”