Susan Duddy's Hanoverian mare Donna Carrera has been sold to Sweden. The black Grand Prix level trained and competed mare represented Australia under Rozzie Ryan.
The mare was based in The Netherlands at Bartels Academy for her preparation and bid for selection to take part in the 2008 Olympic Games. She never returned to Australia but stayed at Bartels' until she was sold.
Ryan and Donna Carrera (by Donnerhall x Raphael) were the Olympic reserve combination, while Heath Ryan on Greenoaks Dundee, Hayley Beresford on Relampago De Retiro and Kristy Oatley on Quando Quando constituted the 2008 Australian Olympic dressage team.
Donna Carrera's owner Susie Duddy imported the black mare into Australia as a 3-year old. Under Duddy, the mare became the 5-year old Australian Young Horse Dressage Champion and was proclaimed Australian Hanoverian of the Year in 1998 and 2007.
With Rozzie Ryan, the mare competed at the 2008 World Cup Finals in 's Hertogenbosch after having won the Pacific League World Cup Qualifier. Donna Carrera has had one foal by Weltmeyer called DP Wedonna, which is now competing at small tour level.
"Donna has been sold to a Swedish rider and my family will miss her vey much. It is a shame that she was unable to get a start in Hong Kong as it would have been great for everyone to have seen her at her peak especially the piaffe that scored 7’s in Aachen. However, she still has much to offer the sport and will have a lovely home," Duddy told reporter Berni Saunders
Photos copyrighted: Astrid Appels
Related Links
Donna Carrera to Represent Australia at the 2008 World Cup Finals
2008 Australian Olympic Dressage Team Selected
The Virtual Equestrian: Donna Carrera Sold to Sweden
The Virtual Equestrian: Susie Duddy