Doug Leatherdale Passed Away

Dressage

American Dressage News

Doug Leatherdale passed away peacefully on 6 December 2015 on his 79th birthday after spending the evening with family and friends.

Born in Morden, Canada, Doug attended United College and the University of Winnipeg before immigrating to the US. He was a well-known Twin Cities business man with accomplishments too numerous to list. He was chairman and CEO of the St. Paul Companies from 1990 to 2001, before it merged with Travelers. He was chairman and board member of the Minnesota Orchestra, and board member of United Healthcare.

Doug was an avid breeder and owner of Hanoverian sport horses. He served as president of the American Hanoverian Society from 2001 to 2010. In 2011, he was honored with the Golden Badge of the Hannoveraner Verband and remains the only non-German recipient of that prize..

He sponsored several high performance dressage riders in Canada and the U.S.A, such as Diane Creech (Devon L, Diane C, Robbie W) and Sue Blinks (Robin Hood, Mark), as well as young horse rider Mike Suchanek.

Doug and Louise Leatherdale became known in Europe after buying Hanoverian stallion His Highness for a record price at the Hanoverian Stallion Licensing. They ended up investing in numerous stallions, such as Damsey, Herzensdieb, Rob Roy, First Dance and Fairbanks, which all stood at Jens Meyer's stallion station in Dorum, Germany, that gaiend international fameand success through Leatherdale's backing.

"Doug was the kindest and loving man, who adored his wife Louise Leatherdale beyond imagination. His passion, being horses, he was so proud of his stallions in Germany, managed and promoted by wonderful Susanne and Jens Meyer," Diane Creech. "He always brought me back big printed pictures of "The Boys in Germany". He loved listening and taking part of the journey of each one of his Performance horses. His generosity went beyond my imagination (..). He and Louise build vet clinic wings, parts of museums, universities, symphony orchestra, ice bear park and shared into many other things. I for sure didn't even touch close on all his accomplishments. His footprint on this world will be distinct and deep. I will miss him forever and will always be grateful that faith had brought us together. I feel so privileged to have been part of his life."

His contributions to education were many including donation of the Leatherdale Equine Center to the University of Minnesota and the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Doug is survived by his wife, Louise, children Mary Jo, Chris, Tim, and Tom, his sister Sharon, and 8 grandchildren.