Another busy weekend judging at the Waikato Dressage Champs and watching Rufus ( Leo Dreams of Gold ) full brother to Leo Degas, have his first start at GRAND PRIX!!!! Not quite there yet but some quality work shown and certainly an exciting prospect for the future. huge pat on the back to owner Alicia Collin who bought him as a 2yo and has done everything herself, right from breaking him in. This is her first horse at this level so it's a big learning curve for her too.

I think Gisborne Dressage Champs must be good luck for me. A few years ago Fiona phoned while I was there to tell me that Leo Degas had won the Young Event Horse Championship at Puhinui, this weekend she rang to say that he had won the Waiteko Trophy 2* event at Taupo!! I love news like that.What's more he won on his dressage score. Well done Sam and Andy!!

What a mission getting this on here!!I wish these things came with simple directions.
  Anyway this is Boris aka Leo Godonov father and grandfather to the current Leo clan.

Winner of 21 out of 28 starts, and only unplaced once, at level 3 & 4 dressage in the '97/'98 season. Reichenbach winner '97.  Won all 4 tests at the Nationals 1998, 2nd level 4 HOY. Back when there were up to 40 horses in those levels!

Sox aka Leo Distinction, awaiting his 4th place rosette Pre Novice Ch at Taupo, May 2012.

Taz aka Leo Chocolat, Anita's "Flying Dressage Pony" cruising around the 1m35 class at Kihikihi
November 2012.

Sam Taylor (Swannanoa) and Leo Degas were in a class of their own in the action-filled BetaVet Intermediate, taking the honours and with it the Dusky Bay Cup for Open Intermediate Champion.

A smart dressage performance gave Taylor an early advantage, and he matched it with a splendid show across country adding just 1.2 time penalties, and a clear show jumping, to finish on 33.8, almost 20 penalties ahead of Susie Stewart on Cowboy and Eve Hawes on Hurlingham Lansong, second and third respectively. Only three of the seven starters finished.

Cracker aka Leo Legacy working in for his 2nd ever outing. A few handstands in his first test when he argued with Fi but much better in the second for 68% and a win.Still very much a baby but it's all there.