He also won the Cavan outdoor Championships, the Cavan National Indoor Championship and with Richard, the Cavan International Championship four year old finals.

In 2003 he finished 10th in the Dublin Horse Show 5y'old Championship and 7th in the Cavan 5y'old Championship at the end of the year

2004; Ard VDL Douglas won the 1.20m Winter Indoor League Finals and qualified for the Cavan Classic at the end of the year. He has also Qualified for the Dublin RDS 6 y'old finals.

2005;  4th Kilronan Grand Prix

As described by Siobhan English in the Irish Field ”the striking son of Darco has made an impact on every outing” In 2002 Ard VDL Douglas did what no other four year old had ever achieved by winning all his major Championships. Then in 2003 he proved his consistent form winning throughout the year. He qualifying and finishing 10^th in the final of the 5y’old Championships Dublin Horse Show (jumping in the main ring). He then finished 7^th in the Cavan Classic 5y’old Indoor Championship at the close of the season. At stud Douglas has had a head start getting stock onto the ground, with 80 mares covered as a 4y’old. In 2003 he covered even more mares, among these, ‘Cruiseline’ internationally ridden by Harry Marshall. Six mares that are FULL sisters to the International showjumpers; Abbervail Dream, Splendido, Ard Lulu, Irish, Stardust and Cruiseway. Also two mares that were RDS show champions. His First foals at public auction in 2003 made €2,500 €3,000 €3,700 €4,400 and €8,800.

'VDL Douglas ' is a typical Darco son, being similar in looks, plus brave and powerful (pictured below as a 3y'old, jumping at Cherrymount Dec 01). He is jumping this season with excellent clear rounds.

His pedigree  

Ard VDL Douglas  is line bred to the famous TB Cottage Son xx, who appears on both sides of Ard VDL Dougla's pedigree.

Cottage Son xx and Der Löwe xx are in the 4th generation of Darco's pedigree While Cottage Son xx,  Ramzes and Monometer xx are in the 4th generation of Capitol !'s pedigree.

Darco's great grandam was twice Eventing Champion of Belgium and she bred the winner of the Berlin Puissance. These are just snippets of his breeding pedigree.

See Ard VDL Douglas Foals

His sire, Darco

Has won many showjumping competitions in his career such as: Champion of Belgium as a 5 year old. Winner of the Belgian Championships as a 6 year old.

Darco (pictured left) was Winner of the Volvo World Cup in London 1988 and in Hertogenbosch in 1989

He was 6^th in the World Championship in Stockholm in 1990 and 7^th place in the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

Darco was also 2^nd in the richest Grand Prix in the world in Calgary

He is the presently the sire of the World highest rated showjumper ('01), RGB Otterongo

He has sired the promising stallion Fedor and King Darco, who competed in the Atlanta Olympics with Ludo Philipearts.

Tornado: British 7 year old Champion (Micheal Whitacker)

The sire Lugano has had a splendid breeding record. The Lugano son, La Ina, ridden by Peter Charles, won the European Championships in 1995

His dam, Fiona M

is a very well bred mare. Her direct female line is responsible for 18 approved stallions which include Leonardo, Corofino, Coriano, Martel, Calvin etc. and a further 9 International Sport Horses, including Morales, Carlos, Caribo, Fashion etc. 

Fiona M is by the best sire in the world, Capitol I. He was ranked Number One 2001/2002 in the world WBFSH ranking. 

This Holstein line 318D2 has also brought the stallions Corofino and Coriano, who have both jumped internationally.

Pantella (3rd dam) is by the famous Tb sire Ladykiller. Pantella bred three approved stallions, they are Lido, Leonardo and Leker, last two did S-Jumping. Next to that Lido was an important sire and also a famous eventing horse. Infact this dam line goes right back to the famous sire, 'First' . 

(pictured below,Ard VDL Douglas at 3 years of age when he arrived)

For Stud Fee details go to  'Stud Info'