Judy Reynolds Loses Grand Prix Horse Leroy Naeldeborg

Mon, 06/06/2022 - 22:17
Ireland
Judy Reynolds and Leroy Naeldeborg :: Photo © Astrid Appels

Irish Grand Prix rider Judy Reynolds had to say goodbye to her Grand Prix horse Leroy Naeldeborg, who followed in the footsteps of her retired number one, Vancouver K. 

The 15-year old Leroy Naeldeborg was sadly put to sleep on 27 May 2022. 

Danish Start

Leroy Naeldeborg was a 2007 born Danish warmblood gelding by Loudini out of Hjortlunds Miranda (by Midt West Ibi Light x Leandro x Waldstern). He was bred by Stine and Morten Erhardsen.

He made his show debut as a 6-year old in Denmark under Louise Lynge Rasmussen, who competed him at LA level in the spring of 2013.  

Sold to Ireland

Leroy Naeldeborg then sold to American based Irish dressage rider Sonia Zugel, who had him registered with USDF but never competed him in the U.S.A. Instead, Leroy was allocated to German based Irish rider Judy Reynolds. 

The bay gelding made his national show debut in Krefeld, Germany in June 2018 under Inigo Astiz Tabar before Reynolds began showing him at M-level in the autumn of that year. He moved up to small tour level in 2019.

Reynolds and Leroy at the 2019 CDIO Aachen
Reynolds made her international show debut on Leroy at the 2019 CDI Fritzens and a month later also rode him in the small tour at the CDIO Aachen. Two years later they had their international Grand Prix debut at the CDI Munich in May 2021, where they posted 64.761% in their first Grand Prix. They competed at one more CDI in Achleiten two weeks later. It was their last international as a pair. Their last national show was in Voerde in July 2021.

Sad Goodbye

Leroy Naeldeborg's health has been deteriorating and on 27 May 2022 Reynolds and owner Zugel took the hard decision to put the gelding to sleep. 

"He had an arthritic condition which worsened rapidly in the last couple of months and unfortunately his quality of life was deteriorating, so we took the decision to put him to sleep," Reynolds told Eurodressage. 

Reynolds' last CDI start was in July 2021 aboard her student Wejdan Al Malki's PRE stallion Mango Jacaro (by Rondeno IX x Endrino). When asked who her future hopefuls are for the big sport, Judy named For Fun and Faisao.

"I have two horses that have just stepped up to Grand Prix level, so I’m looking forward to getting them a bit more experienced before heading out international with them," said stated. 

They are her own 11-year old For Fun (by Fürstenball x Maizauber x Lungau) and Al Malki's 12-year old Lusitano Faisao (by Spartacus x Hostil).

Photos © Astrid Appels

Related Links
Judy Reynolds Retires Vancouver K from Competition Sport
Come Back for Cosmo and Vancouver K Planned for 2021 CDI Munich
Olympics in 2021, Too Late for Judy Reynolds' Vancouver K?