Graf George, one of America's most successful dressage horses ever, has passed away at his home in Racho Santa Fe, CA, on 20 December 2008.
The 26-year old grey Hanoverian gelding (by Graphit out of Mongolin (by More Magic xx)) was humanely put down following organ failure. Graf George was a double Olympic team bronze medallist.
Meg Hamilton discovered Graf George as a 3-year old in Germany and the gelding earned his first Olympic team bronze medal under Michael Poulin at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. He was then sold to George Lindemann Jr, who went to prison in 1995 for insurance fraud.
In 1995 he was purchased by Richard and Jane Brown of Carlsbad, California, where he was to meet up with his last rider, Guenter Seidel. Seidel showed the grey to his second team bronze medal and an eighth individual place at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. They followed that achievement with a ninth place at the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome, Italy. Graf George was the American National Dressage Champion in both 1993 and 1998 and the USDF Horse of the Year at Grand Prix in 1998.
“I have to thank him for my whole career,” Guenter Seidel told The Chronicle of the Horse. “He taught me what riding was all about. You’re only as good as your horses, and he made me look great and made me a good rider.”
Quote source: Chronicle of the Horse
Photo courtesy: Mary Phelps/Phelpsphotos.com
Related Links
Graf George Competes For the Last Time
Graf George and Peron Retire
Between Heaven and Hell: Guenter Seidel Goes For A Sunny Happy Day with Friends