Victories continue to accumulate for Horses Unlimited’s Leonberg and his Danish rider Mikala Munter Gundersen. The latest victory was a 70.79% in the Kentucky Cup Grand Prix Special over a field that included World Cup Finalists, European medalists, Olympians and Pan American Games medalists. The Kentucky Cup was the test event for the dressage world championships at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games that will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park September 25 to October 10, 2010. This was the third CDI blue ribbon this season for the pair. They also won both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W in March. These successes have ensured that the duo will compete at shows in Europe this summer, including the Danish National Championships.

“I’ve never felt Leonberg perform in this way before,” Gundersen explained. “He was completely with me and very expressive. I was thrilled.”

Anne Sparks owner of Leonberg and Horses Unlimited shared her thoughts, “I couldn’t be happier because Mikala has been working so hard. And it is nice when hard work pays off.” Leonberg and Gundersen were invited to compete in the 2010 FEI World Cup Dressage Finals, although Gundersen decided to focus instead on WEG preparation.

Sparks continued, “What I love about Mikala is her commitment to the horse and building the relationship. They have a true, solid connection built on trust. In two short years, they have come really far.”

Earlier this year, Leonberg and Gundersen competed in the 2010 Exquis World Dressage Masters, placing an impressive fifth in the Grand Prix Freestyle under the lights with a 72.2%. The duo were in good company with the likes of Anky van Grunsven and Salinero in first and Steffen Peters and Ravel second. Rounding out the field was Isabell Werth in third and Ashley Holzer in fourth.

Continuing to tally up good scores and ribbons, Leonberg and Mikala demonstrated once again why the Palm Beach Dressage Derby is one of their favorite shows of the year. After a win in the Grand Prix, they wowed the judges and audience with a 73.25% in the Grand Prix Freestyle, nearly 4% higher than the second placed rider. This is the second consecutive year that the pair has been victorious in the Grand Prix.

Gundersen commented on the two wins at the Derby, “I’m ecstatic. The season has been coming along for us. When it started we hadn’t shown for six months and at the Masters things started coming together. I can see it coming and hopefully go up from here. We are pointing towards the World Equestrian Games as our goal and so we will keep working hard and see if that happens. I’m so proud of Leonberg and I’m excited to see what the rest of the year brings.”

The success in international competition was one of the factors that helped Leonberg recently receive his breeding license from the Oldenburg Horse Breeder’s Society, a division of the German Oldenburg Verband. Leonberg, by Lonely Boy xx out of a Romiros mare, is also approved by the RPSI and the ISR/OLD.

Sparks continues, “It is wonderful to see one of my stallions competing solidly at such a high level and at the same time be able to see his first babies maturing. His sons and daughters are showing a lot of athletic ability and quality movement. I feel very lucky to have Leo.” Among Leonberg’s first offspring, Liberando VT, a licensed stallion, owned by Sonja Ucci and also ridden by Gundersen. Other Leonberg babies will begin their under saddle show careers this year.

Gundersen and the handsome dark bay stallion will travel to Europe this summer to prepare for the World Equestrian Games (WEG). Although Gundersen lives in Wellington, FL, she continues to compete for Denmark. The pair plans to compete in the Danish Championships in July, one of the Danish team’s WEG-selection criteria.

To learn more visit www.horsesunlimited.us.

About Horses Unlimited Horses Unlimited is one of the premier sport horse breeding establishments in the United States. Utilizing the best bloodlines from Europe, Horses Unlimited is producing jumpers, dressage and eventing horses for both amateur and professional riders. The HU breeding program has produced Dressage at Devon Champions and a Markel/USEF National Young Horse Champion. The HU stallions have competed at the highest level of the sport, from CHIO Aachen to the Olympic Games.

Mikala Gundersen and Leonberg

Photo credit: Susan J Stickle