Jade and Jean Findlay have enjoyed many wonderful moments with Leilani
Jean and Jade Findlay, owners of one of Australia’s most accomplished Eventing mares, Holstein Park Leilani, have generously donated a perpetual trophy to be awarded at the Sydney International Horse Trials.
The trophy will be presented to the highest placed mare in the CCI3* and will include $1000 prize money.
“I wanted to give support and encouragement to the riders,” explained Jean. “This is a way to acknowledge Leilani’s accomplishments but to also give something back to the sport and the riders.”
Leilani, a 17hh Holsteiner x TB by Lander, began eventing with Jean’s daughter, Jade, who took the mare through to the 2 star level, however the ride was given to Christopher Burton in 2008 when Jade became pregnant.
In their five years together Leilani and Christopher achieved some outstanding international results. The pair rose to the forefront of Australian eventing winning Goulburn CIC*** 2009 (NSW Championship), Albury CIC***2010 and 2011, Sydney International World Cup CIC*** 2010. Leilani was second overall in the 2010/2011 HSBC World Cup Series after winning the Sydney leg, a third placing in Kihikihi (NZL) and a third placing in Le Pin au Haras, France.
Chris and Leilani at WEG 2010 Photo: Toni-Anne Collins
Chris and Leilani went on to represent Australia at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington Kentucky, at the 2012 London Olympics and at the 2013 World Equestrian Festival at Aachen Germany.
Together they also competed at the CCI4* in Adelaide, Burghley, Pau and Badminton, finishing with a top 10 placing at both Pau and Badminton.
Jean, Jade and Christopher announced that Leilani, aged 18, would retire after competing at Aachen in 2013.
Leilani finished her career on a high
In a notable swansong Leilani won the World Equestrian Festival in Aachen beating a top field that included the reigning London Olympic Gold medalist.
Leilani has now returned to Australia and is at the Findlay’s Cattai property. “Where she is giving valuable advice to Jade’s up and coming eventing horses” says Jean.
The Findlay’s are excited to announce that they are expecting their first Leilani foal, via surrogate, next spring.
