Laura Bechtolsheimer's Grand Prix schoolmaster Douglas Dorsey has passed away. The 20-year old Hanoverian gelding suffered from acute laminitis and sadly had to be euthanized mid May 2011.
"The week after Hagen was a shocker," Laura Bechtolsheimer told Horse Hero. "Douglas Dorsey had to come in from the field with laminitis, my parents were away and after a few days in the stable and some X-rays, I had to make the decision to put him down as he would not have gone out in the field again for a very long time, if at all. I called the kennels, and with the support of one of grooms, took him up to the field and was with him until the end. I have never had to do that before and I was pretty shell-shocked."
Douglas Dorsey was Wilfried Bechtolsheimer's Grand Prix horse as of 2000 and became Laura's schoolmaster in 2004. They won team bronze at the 2004 European Young Riders Championships and one year later won the 2005 British Dressage Championships, Laura's first national Grand Prix title. In 2006 they won the consolation finals at the World Cup Finals in Amsterdam and went on to represent Great Britain at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen.
"Douglas was a fantastic character and I owe him so much," said Bechtolsheimer.
Douglas Dorsey was born in 1991 and was by Donnerhall out of Sonett (by Salem x Echo II).
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Douglas Dorsey
Douglas Dorsey Retired
Laura Bechtolsheimer Wins Consolation Finals in Amsterdam
British Team for the 2006 World Equestrian Games Announced
Photo Report: 2005 British Dressage Championships
Bechtolsheimer Fifth at 2004 European Young Riders Championships