American Olympic team horse Brentina has undergone colic surgery yesterday Wednesday February 11, 2009. Perry and Peggy Thomas' liver chestnut Hanoverian mare by Brentano II x Lungau suffered from a severe bout of colic.
Because her condition did not improve after a first injection of Banamine, Brentina was shipped to the equine clinic close to her winter home in Thousand Oaks, California.
The operation went well as surgeons were able to remove the impaction without having to resect the colon. The mare is standing up and connected to IVs, but the first few post-op days remain critical.
"Brentina is up and standing on her own. As you all know she is not out of the woods for a few days," Debbie McDonald told Dressagedaily.com "I know that she has so many people out there that love her I am just hoping that even half of you could say a little something for her. I am not over losing my brother last year, and she is like my child."
Brentina is scheduled to appear in her official retirement ceremony at the 2009 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas. Rider Debbie McDonald and owners Peggy and Parry Thomas will be on hand to honour this amazing mare that, along with Debbie, has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in U.S. dressage history.
The pair earned the United States its first World Cup Dressage Finals Champion in 2003 and represented the United States at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, they led the U.S. to the bronze medal.
In 1999, Debbie and Brentina put in an amazing performance at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, winning both the individual and team gold medals. Brentina’s retirement ceremony will take place on Friday afternoon, April 17, during the Las Vegas Dressage showcase.
Additional info at Equisearch.com and Dressagedaily.com
Related Links
Brentina Withdrawn from Further Competition at the 2006 World Equestrian Games
Debbie McDonald and Brentina at the 2008 Olympic Games
Debbie McDonald In For The Gold at the 2002 World Equestrian Games
McDonald and Brentina, USET Athletes of the Month July 1999
Verden Auction Horse, Brentina