On Friday 29 November 2013 Isobel Wessels' former international Grand Prix horse Leopardo passed away. He was put to sleep aged 23 in the south west where he’d been enjoying retirement for the last few years.
In his heyday, the striking chestnut Hanoverian (by Lanthan x Wendepunkt) was a prolific winner with Isobel Wessles when owned by Joan Farquharson. He gave Wessels her first proper taste of grand prix competition. He won some seven national titles and competed grand prix here and on the continent in the late 1990s-begin 2000s.
Joan discovered Leopardo in Germany as a youngster. "I went to Verden sales in 1992 with Isobel – just for fun – and promised my husband I would not buy a horse," Farquharson told Horse and Hound in 2003. "While we were in Germany, a friend took us round some studs. I saw Leopardo as a two-year-old and fell in love with him. So I kept my promise not to buy a horse at Verden, as I bought one elsewhere! I wasn¨t looking for a horse, but he was so nice and so perfect."
In his later years, he was ridden in para classes by Julia Nest and Edward Channin after a long spell under the ownership and guidance of Chris Dannan at big and small tour level.
He will be fondly remembered for his huge personality and often unruly behaviour but also for teaching so many riders so much in his later life as a schoolmaster.
Photo courtesy British Dressage
Related Links
Isobel Wessels Commits to International Judging in 2013
Scores: 2006 CDI Frys
Scores: 2006 British Dressage Championships
Scores: 2001 CDI Le Touquet