The annus horibilis for the Celle State Stud has not yet come to an end. After losing Dancier, Don Crusador, and Graf Top this year, Celle also had to euthanize the 22-year old Londonderry on Thursday 14 December 2017.
The chestnut stallion had been suffering from old age and had weakened considerably. He struggled with his stability and strength and yesterday morning could no longer get up. The staff and vet decided it was in the best interest of the horse to put him down.
Londonderry was born on 16 April 1995 and bred by Klaus Hermann Ehlen. He was by Lauries Crusador xx out of Windsor Queen (by Warkant x Eiger).
The chestnut was approved at the 1997 Hanoverian Stallion Licensing and as licensing champion sold to Celle. He did his 300-day stallion performance test in Adelheidsdorf in 1998 and scored 121.57 points to finish 5th. He had an index of 134.56 for dressage and 88.91 for show jumping.
Under Peter Achilles he won the 1999 Bundeschampionate as a 4-year old. Under Wolfhard Witte he was the reserve champion at the 2001 Bundeschampionate. Witte trained the stallion to S-level but he never truly competed at an important event after his younger years.
Londonderry produced more than 2200 offspring, 153 of his daughters became state premium mares and 41 of his sons were licensed, including the American owned licensing champion Liberty Gold, Lauries As, Lemony's Nicket, Lights of Londonderry, Locksley I, II and III, London Swing, Londontime and Lullaby.
Photo © LL-foto
Related Links
Londonderry, Hanoverian Stallion of the Year 2013
Londonderry x Weltmeyer Son, 2003 Hanoverian Licensing Champion
Lights of Londonderry Sold to Bernadette Brune
Major Blow for Hanoverian Breeding: Dancier Passed Away
Graf Top Passed Away
Wolfhard Witte Appointed Head of State Stud Celle