Chaina, 2018 European Young Riders Champion, Passed Away

Sun, 02/23/2020 - 07:50
The Netherlands
Esmee DOnkers and Chaina at the 2019 European Young Riders Championships in Italy :: Photo © Astrid Appels

Chaina, the horse with which Esmee Donkers won the 2018 European Young Riders Championships, has passed away.

The mare suffered from a severe bout of colic and was twice operated on. Unfortunately due to complications she could not be saved and was put to sleep. 

Chaina was a 13-year old Dutch warmblood mare by Sir Donnerhall out of Valley Tosha (by Rubioso N). She was bred by W. Timmers. 

Donkers and Chaina made their international show debut at junior riders' level in 2016 at the CDI Nieuw en St. Joosland. That year they further competed at the CDI's in Odense and Roosendaal.

In 2017 they moved to Young Riders Level and first showed at the CDI in Lier, followed by Joosland and Roosendaal. They claimed the Dutch Young Riders Title and were selected to represent The Netherlands at the 2017 European Young Riders Championships in Roosendaal, where they were fifth in the freestyle. 

In 2018 the pair did just one international, in Le Mans, and won the Dutch Indoor Young Riders Championships. They got again selected on the team. At the European Young Riders Championships in Fontainebleau, France, they achieved their career highlight: they won all three classes and earned team silver and individual and kur gold. 

In 2019 they competed in Joosland and Exloo before traveling to the 2019 European Young Riders Championships in San Giovanni. They were not able to repeat their stellar feat of 2018, but still ended up with team and Kur silver. 

Chaina wins the 2018 European YR Championships
San Giovanni was the pair's last international. 

"It is a nightmare for every rider," said a devastated Donkers about the passing of her top horse. "My dear friend got acute colic and was operated on straight away. After a few days in the clinic she unexpectedly needed a second operation. During the OP it turned out there was no hope for her and we wanted to put her out of her misery. With much pain in our heart we had to let her go."

Donkers continued: "She was a very special horse; other called her a 'special one'. I had to have an incredible amount of patience. We adapted ourselves to her special ways and in return we got loads of trust. We were the perfect match.  She was incredibly special to me and made me feel like the happiest girl in the world every day. She has made my dreams come true and she is irreplaceable. We are going to miss her enormously."

Photo © Astrid Appels

Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Chaina
Gigantic medal haul for Germany at 2019 European Youth Riders Championship in San Giovanni
Donkers Dances to Kur Gold at 2018 European Young Riders Championships
Esmee Donkers Delivers and Wins Individual Test Gold at 2018 European Young Riders Championships
Pap, Donkers, Cornelissen, Nieuwenhuis, Van Silfhout Win 2018 Dutch Indoor Championships
Germany Invincible in Team Competition at 2017 European Young Riders Championships
Scores: 2017 Dutch Dressage Championships
Van Peperstraten and Donkers Win 2017 KNHS Junior-Young Riders Cup Finals
Scores: 2016 Dutch Dressage Championships