Taz and Freya looking very happy with their win at Foxton.

Freya and Taz looking happy after their win in Foxton.

 

 

Exciting things have been happening for Leo Sporthorses!

 

Taz continues to be his cheeky self escaping from his yard at the Foxton SJ Show and helping himself to someone else's  breakfast and lunch  in the middle of the night. He somewhat redeemed himself by winning the University series class.

Later he was 3rd in a 1m30 class at Feilding.

His full brother Sox has been going from strength to strength, staring the season with a win and a 3rd in level 3 dressage with Fiona riding him then 2 weeks later winning the dressage phase of combined training at Woodhill with exciting new rider Blyth Tait. Time faults in the sj put them down to 3rd. Blyth's 4th ride so not bad. That was followed by a win in the Papatoetoe PC ODE level AI/1*, next came a step up to 2* at Woodhill which they also won then to Puhinui, the course was very big certainly more than Sox had seen before. 2nd in the dressage and cruising around the x-c until the 3rd to last a combination, Sox took a flyer at the first and there was no way Blyth could present him at the second so a technical runout put them back to 10th. Sox is still not quite listening to Blyth and so he pulled one rail in the sj, but all in all a super result and it is so satisfying to have him reward our faith in his ability!  Exciting times ahead.

 

 Sox waiting for the SJ.

 

 Super groom Fiona

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This is a sketch I did of Sox aka Leo Distinction after he finished 2nd in the 1* at Kihikihi Horse Trials. He followed that with a win at Woodhill Sands and 3Rd at The National 3DE in Taupo.

He really revels in his work and we have high hopes for his future.

Meanwhile Leo Degas and Leo Chocolat finished 3rd and 4th respectively at HOY in a class of 99 showjumping 1m20.Not bad for a small time breeding operation! Degas also competed in the 3* 3 DE at Hoy finishing mid field after a run out at a skinny on the x-c. Such a pity after his promising start for 4th in the dressage.

Leo Dreams of Gold has had time off  following a tweak to a muscle, we are expecting him to come back better than ever.
Then Alicia is now riding Leo Donna and is delighted with her progress, can't wait to see her out next season along with Leo Diva aka Deedee who is coming along slowly, some just cannot be rushed.

Sox showjumping at Taupo where he finished 3rd out of 47 in the 1* 3DE

Rufus showing some great engagement at Clevedon.

 

It has been a quiet time for the horses since Dec, but they're back in work now. Sox will have his first run again soon at Hunua and Rufus has just been competing in the North Island Champs at Clevedon. Alicia is still delighted with Donna who is taking everything in her stride so far and Alicia is also taking over the ride on Deedee this week. It will be good to see her out competing.

 

 

Taz, Leo Chocolat, winner of the Great Lake Challenge at Taupo Xmas Classic Dec 2013.Proving to be a reliable Show Jumper up to 1m30.

Rufus, Leo Dreamsof Gold, demonstrating his piaffe, jsut needs to learn that he can actually do it in a test!! A lesson with Jeremy Steinberg dec 2013.

Alicia and Rufus with their Reserve GP Champion ribbon at the Auckland/Manukau Champs last weekend. So pleased for them both.They also won the prize for the most points for the registered Hanoverian  level 4 and above.
Then had a mad dash up to Woodhill sands to watch Sox have his first 1* cross country run. James said Sox thought the fences looked a bit bigger than before but he came home just over the time for a win .Couldn't do better than that!!

        Big Weekend for Leo horses.Leo Donna left for her new home with Alicia Collin on Saturday, she was such a good girl, travelled really well and was very relaxed about leaving home and moving to a new property,

Donna

 

Leo Distinction

Leo Diva aka Deedee won her dressage at Papatoetoe PC 2DE on 78% clear SJ but is still a little suspicious of the X_C so incurred a couple of stops, Leo Distinction was second at barge park after the dressage and SJ but just cruised the X_C as James wants him to learn not to pull so a few time faults.