Sanneke and Sönke Rothenberger's Grand Prix schoolmaster Favourit has passed awa. The 18-year old Rhinelander gelding was put down after fracturing his pelvis in a stable accident last week.
During the CDIO Aachen, where Sonke Rothenberger was competing Aachen, a big thunder storm hit the Rothenberger's home Gestut Erlenhof in Bad Homburg. Lightning struck a tree and the blast spooked the horses in the stall. The next morning the grooms found Favourit frozen in the stall, unable to move. Three veterinarians investigated and treated the horse, all with different diagnoses. Eventually they discovered he had fractured his pelvis.
The still cheerful and hungry Favourit was initially treated medication, acupuncture, magnetic blanketing and three months of stable rest, which could suffice for the horse's recovery to a comfortable life. However, on Monday evening 31 July the horse was found down in his stall sweating. He could not be rescued and it was decided in the best interest of the horse to put him down.
"Favo was taken from us in an unfair way, which we find hard to understand and cope with," the Rothenberger family wrote. "It is hard to understand how such a bad thing can happen and why such a loyal horse got struck by it. The question stays in our mind, "why did Favo deserve this?" He did not! Favo brought beautiful moments to each of our family members and we are grateful for his cheeky and ideosyncratic character which always worked to his advantage at home."
Bred by Eberhard Schulte-Böcker (breeder of Florestan I), Favourit was by Fidermark out of Wonne (by Worldchamp x Fidelio).
Owned by Austrian owner Ursula Jungwirth as a youngster, Favourit went into training with Hermann Gossmeier in 2005 who brought the liver chestnut to Grand Prix level. In 2008 the pair competed in three Grand Prix classes on the German Developing Grand Prix horse circuit (then named Medien Cup, now Louisdor Cup).
In August 2008 Swedish Antonia Ax:son Johnson bought Favourit for Tinne Vilhelmson. She rode him on Swedish team at the 2009 and 2011 European Championships, the 2010 World Equestrian Games and two World Cup Finals.
In October 2012 the 13-year old Favourit sold to the Rothenberger as a schoolmaster for Sanneke Rothenberger. Sanneke initially rode him on the German Under 25 circuit and then made the transition to senior level in 2013. They competed at CDI's in 's Hertogenbosch, Munich, Falsterbo, Wiesbaden, Aachen, Vidauban, and Stadl Paura.
The very gifted Favourit was always a lovely mover, but he struggled with the piaffe and was a highly sensitive horse to ride. Sönke Rothenberger took over in 2014 and competed on the World Cup circuit that year as well as numerous prestigious CDI's in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Their last show together was the CDI Wiesbaden in June, where they won the Grand Prix and Special.
Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Favourit
Sanneke Rothenberger and Favourit Getting Acquainted
Tinne Vilhelmson's Favourit Sold to Sanneke Rothenberger
Favourit Sold to Tinne Vilhelmson
Hermann Gossmeier and Favourit at the 2008 CDN Bad Salzuflen