American Doug Leatherdale Honored at the Hanoverian Stallion Licensing in in Verden, Germany

The Verband's chairman Manfred Schäfer honoured American breeder Doug Leatherdale with the Golden Badge of the Hannoveraner Verband.

The Verband's chairman Manfred Schäfer honoured American Doug Leatherdale with the Golden Badge of the Hannoveraner Verband. Doug Leatherdale has been a committed and dedicated Hanoverian breeder for years, and he has been rendering great service to the Hanoverian breed in the United States. He was President of the American Hanoverian Society from 2001 to 2010. Together with his wife Louise, he runs their Leatherdale Farms in Minnesota. He became well-known in Germany when he purchased the Champion of the 2002 Stallion Licensing His Highness who was available for the Hanoverian breeders at Jens Meyer's farm in Dorum. A convincing crop of young stallions born in 2009 was presented at the Hanoverian Stallion Licensing this year with a variety of pedigrees and outstanding quality. "We saw very mature stallions with fantastic types and personalities for breeding, but also with very interesting movements," breeding manager Dr. Werner Schade said.

Hanoverian Stallion of the Year 2011, Celle state stud stallion Graf Top by Graf Grannus/Calypso II.

Following the honour ceremony for the Premium stallions, the Celle state stud stallion Graf Top by Graf Grannus/Calypso II entered the limelight of the Niedersachsenhalle, being nominated *Hanoverian Stallion of the Year 2011". Michael Edzards from the R+V/VTV insurance company awarded his breeder Alfred Broennemann, Weferlingsen, with the Wohlklang-sculpture and a remunerative check.

Of the 87 futurity prospects who competed in Verden, 47 of them were accepted for breeding, with 14 stallions honored with a premium award, seven dressage stallions and seven show jumping stallions. The presentations of the Dancier/Rotspon-son (breeder: Hinrich Wuelpern, Farven, exhibitor: Anneli Brunckhorst, Hollenstedt) were special highlights; he perfectly combined an athletic presence with elegance and noblesse. The chestnut was the top-priced stallion of the Stallion Sales. Kristin Andresen from Norway purchased the dressage prospect at Euro 315,000 together with the danish stud Katrinelund from where he will be available for the breeders. The show jumping stallions were particularly convincing: top pedigree, top quality, outstanding potential. Following a thrilling bidder's duel, the Celle National State Stud won the bid at Euro 270,000 for the most popular jumper, a gorgeous black by Valentino/Acorado (breeder and exhibitor: Rainer Schuster, Haag).

The customers confirmed the excellent quality of the two and a half year olds. The 44 licensed stallions were sold at averagely Euro 64,591. Other state studs and well-known private stallion holders purchased one of the young Hanoverian stallions besides the Celle National State Stud, too. The export rate amounts to 43 percent with 19 stallions that are scheduled to leave Germany. Customers from Austria purchased four stallions, three stallions were sold to Denmark and each two to Australia, Belgium, Norway and the Russian Federation. "There was a huge international demand," breeding manager Dr. Werner Schade said. The focus was not only on breeding, but also on sports competition.

The non-licensed stallions were also sold at fantastic prices. Top-priced non-licensed stallion became a Fuerst Nymphenburg/Mont du Cantal AA-son (breeder: Willi Brunckhorst, Hollenstedt, exhibitor: Anneli Brunckhorst, Hollenstedt). The eagerly moving liver chestnut was sold at Euro 82,000, and will move into a stall with a well-known Lower Saxonian dressage trainer.

The 38 non-licensed stallions were sold at an average price of Euro 20,378 which results in an export rate of 34 percent. Three stallions were purchased by Swiss customers, each two will travel to Belgium, France and Sweden.