Wendi Williamson's Dejavu MH Passed Away

Dressage

New Zealand

New Zealand Grand Prix rider Wendi Williamson had to say goodbye to her number one mount, Dejavu MH. The 13-year old New Zealand bred Hanoverian succumbed to colic on 2 April 2018.

Dejavu MH was bred by Matthew Hanoverians of Awanui, Northland New Zealand. The De Niro offspring was the third foal of thirteen out of Adelheid MH (by Anamour out of the imported mare Welkantje (by Weltmeyer x Pik Bube).

Under Wendi Williamson the black gelding, who was gifted with a stellar piaffe-passage, made his international Grand Prix debut in February 2016 at the CDI Feilding. By the end of the year the duo was going at warp speed and winning it all in New Zealand.

They raked in the 2017 New Zealand Grand Prix and Kur Dressage Champions's title and wrote history for New Zealand by being the first ever Kiwi combination to compete at a World Cup Finals. The pair qualified for the Finals in Omaha, U.S.A by winning the 2017 Pacific League World Cup Dressage Final at Manfeild Park. They had to undertake a 60-hour trip via Europe to arrive at their destination in Nebraska. Unfortunately, the horse bit his lip at the World Cup Finals and was eliminated from the Grand Prix.

Williamson and Dejavu MH returned to Europe and redeemed themselves with a successful campaign at the CDI's in Hagen, Windsor, Bolesworth and Hartpury.

The horse was flown back to New Zealand in the autumn 2017 and competed at the CDN Equitana in November, but then missed out on the Kiwi 2017-2018 CDI summer show season after some health scares. The horse was entered for the 2018 Horse of the Year Show in Hastings, but Wendi withdrew him as he wasn’t quite himself after their arrival at the showgrounds. He has already had time out after a colic episode earlier in the year.

"DJ suffered with colic his whole life this time he just couldn’t improve. We are really devastated," Wendi told Eurodressage.

Williamson and Dejavu MH were on course for New Zealand WEG team selection, having already obtained their MES scores for Tryon.

"It is a privilege to have managed, trained and competed such a huge hearted, generous and special, “once in a life time” horse," Wendi explained. "DJ brought power, energy and a sense of excitement to the competition arena. Travelling DJ to Europe to compete on the international stage was an experience and challenge that I am forever grateful for.