Stallion Robert Downey Junior to Become German Junior Rider Hopeful

Dressage

Germany

The 7-year old licensed stallion Robert Downey junior, a five-time Bundeschampionate participant, has moved on as an FEI hopeful for a German junior rider. The German Sport Horse stallion will continue his sport career under Leonie Honnefelder.

Robert Downey Junior is a DSP registered stallion by Real Grandios out of Fabulous Fee (by Santano x Wolkentanz II). He is bred by Frederik Vekens.

Licensed Stallion

The dark bay was first approved for licensing as a premium stallion at the ZFDP studbook in Kreuth in December 2018 and approved for Westfalian breeding in November 2019 at the saddle licensing.

He first did the sport test I in Munster-Handorf in February 2020, scoring 7.39 points and then did his 14-day suitability test in Adelheidsdorf, where he earned 8.28 for dressage and 7.55 for show jumping. He finished on a total of 8.13 points. In February 2021 he completed his second sport test in Munster-Handorf with a total of 8.76 points.

Five-Time Bundeschampionate Participant

The young stallion had a very successful career in young horse sport so far.

He was first competed as a 3-year old by Rebekka Rösler in 2019 and finished 11th in the warm up round for 3-year old stallions at the Bundeschampionate.

In 2020 Wibke Hartmann-Stommel took over the ride and began competing him in the summer of that year. She placed 12th in the warm up round for 4-year old stallions at the Bundeschampionate. In 2021 they were 22nd in the Finals for 5-year olds, in 2022 they were 9th in the consolation finals for 6-year olds, and in 2023 they placed 6th in the consolation finals for 7-year olds.

Leonie Honnefelder

The stallion has now moved into training with 16-year old Leonie Honnefelder.

"I am the luckiest girl in the world. This is our new team member Robert Downey JR," she said. "I have to pinch myself every day that this amazing stallion is now by my side. I can’t wait for the future."

Leonie made her international show debut in the children division in June 2021 aboard For Deluxe (by Franziskus x Show Star). In 2022 she moved into the junior ranks with GR Dorian Gray (by ) and competed him at CDI's in Troisdorf and Aachen through 2023. The pair trains at Gut Roemerhof in Dusseldorf.