Carl Hester's former British team horse Liebling II has passed away last week. Liebling was competed by no less than five different riders at international Grand Prix level.
Liebling II was a 21-year old Holsteiner gelding by Lorentin I x Königspark xx. He was bred by Friedrich Glombik.
British Anna Ross Davies first made her international debut with the gelding at the 2003 World Young Horse Championships in Verden. They returned to the international stage at Grand Prix level in 2007 and made it on the British Team for the 2007 European Dressage Championships in Turin, Itay, where they became the best performing British pair finishing 10th in the Kur to Music.
In 2008 Liebling's owner Donald McTaggert moved the gelding to Carl Hester's barn to be sold. Hester and Liebling II won team silver at the 2009 European Championships and became British Grand Prix Champion with him.
In March 2010 the horse sold to Canadian sponsorJohn Risley for Cheryl Meisner to compete, but she was unable to qualify him on the Canadian 2010 WEG team. The horse moved straight back to Britain, where Carl immediately qualified him on the British team to win team silver at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington.
In November 2011 Dominican Republic's Yvonne Losos de Muniz leased the horse from John Risley for her attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games. Her try failed, partly because of unfair and uneligible competition standards set by the FEI for her Brazilian rivals. Losos de Muniz lost the CAS lawsuit and Liebling II returned back to Hester's in Great Britain to be sold.
In December 2012 Liebling sold to Dutch horse dealer Jonna Schelstraete as her own Grand Prix schoolmaster. The new combination made its debut at the 2013 CDI Roosendaal and competed that year in Hartpury, Deauville, Kapellen, Paris and Mechelen.
He was retired from sport and spent his last years in retirement at Carl Hester's yard.
"Sad to say we lost the lovely Leibling aka Lenny last week," said Hester. "So privileged to win my first medal on him. A wonderful character who carried more riders around internationals than I know."
Photos © Astrid Appels - Sheryl L Ross
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Liebling
Liebling II Sold to Jonna Schelstraete
Donald Mactaggert Gives Ride on Liebling II to Carl Hester
Liebling II, New Mount for Yvonne Losos de Muniz
Hester Reunited with Liebling II to Qualify for WEG
British Team Horse Liebling II Sold to Canada
Statement by Yvonne Losos de Muniz on CAS Ruling
Carl Hester and Liebling II Grab 2009 British Grand Prix Champions' Title
Poetin and Fürst Heinrich, 2003 World Young Dressage Horse Champions
