Leatherdale Farms and Susanne Meyer’s 2013 Hanoverian mare, Daniela (Damsey FRH x Helena (His Highness)), ridden by Helen Langehanenberg (GER), has opened her spring season with consistent results at the Grand Prix level.
Daniela began the season in Münster with two wins, taking the qualifying Grand Prix and Freestyle, scoring over 76% in both.
She followed that performance in Ankum with a win in the Grand Prix Special (72.614%), marking her third victory of the season. Her second-place finish in the Grand Prix is also notable, further underscoring her growing consistency. Bred and trained by Louise Leatherdale, Daniela continues to develop with each outing. “Her piaffe-passage sequence is simply amazing—a clear legacy from her sire, Damsey FRH,” said Langehanenberg.
At just her second CDI4* competition in Stadl-Paura, Daniela and Langehanenberg recorded a top-10 finish. Daniela made her first international appearance at the CDI4* level in December at the Danish Christmas Show in Aarhus, where she scored above 74%.
“And her first ‘real’ Grand Prix season has only just begun,” added Langehanenberg.
Daniela is sired by one of Leatherdale Farms’ most celebrated mounts, Damsey FRH, who was also ridden by Langehanenberg. Langehanenberg and Damsey had an illustrious career, including being members of the German gold medal-winning team at Aachen CDIO5* Nations Cup in both 2018 and 2019, as well as winning a bronze medal at the 2019 FEI Dressage World Cup Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden. In 2020, Damsey was the WBFSH #1 World Ranked Hanoverian (HANN).
FEI World Cup Final Gothenburg 2019
© DigiShots
Damsey FRH retired from competition in 2021 following a second-place finish in the Grand Prix at the CDI5* Al Shaqab in Doha, Qatar. He now resides at Hengststation Jens Meyer in Dorum, Germany, where he stands for stud.
About Leatherdale Farms:
Leatherdale Farms, located 20 minutes west of Minneapolis in Long Lake, Minnesota, is a premier Hanoverian breeding operation with additional operations in Wellington, Florida, and Germany. Since its incorporation in 1996, Leatherdale Farms has made a lasting impact on the Hanoverian sport horse world, earning multiple USDF Dressage Breeder of the Year awards.
Specializing in the breeding of world-class Hanoverian sport horses, Leatherdale Farms has sourced and produced some of the industry’s top breeding stallions, including E.H. Herzensdieb, First Dance, Fairbanks, Hampton, Beltano, His Highness, and Damsey FRH. The farm’s commitment to excellence is reflected in the horses it produces, with a focus on quality, performance, and temperament.
While breeding is at the heart of their operation, Leatherdale Farms also campaigns a selection of exceptional horses each year to be developed for the highest levels of dressage competition. Through careful training and development with Team Leatherdale riders and trainers, these horses are given every opportunity to succeed in the sport, further solidifying Leatherdale Farms as a leader in the world of Hanoverian breeding and performance.