FBW Kennedy Passed Away

Dressage

American Dressage News

The chestnut Baden Wurttemberger bred Grand Prix horse FBW Kennedy has passed away peacefully in his sleep at his owner Jane Clarke's stable in Cooperstown, New York, US.A, last night.

FBW Kennedy was a renowned Grand Prix horse in the 2000s. The colourful chestnut was trained to GP level by Danish Lone Jorgensen, who competed him at the 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003 European Championships, 2000 Olympic Games and 2002 World Equestrian Games.

In September 2003 the charming gelding sold to Jane Clarke who offered him as a ride to U.S. Olympian Robert Dover. The latter took Kennedy to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where they won team bronze, and 2005 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas. The United States Equestrian Federation proclaimed Kennedy "Horse of the Year 2004". After Dover's retirement he served as a schoolmaster for Robert's assistent trainer Katherine Bateson, who is currently is head dressage rider for Clarke and based in Wellington, FL.

"Jane, Robert and I are devastated as he was such a special person," Bateson told Eurodressage on the sad passing of Kennedy. "He had such a huge personality."

"Last night he was given his usual treats at night-check and the vet said that he apparently died quietly during the night from either heart failure or an aneurism as the stall showed no sign of any distress whatsoever," Robert Dover said. "I feel broken hearted not to have him around to pet and feed carrots and I hope he will be remembered as he was, one of the greatest Dressage horses ever who brought Lone, me, Katherine and Jane Clark the most unbelievable joy as well as the greatest success for ourselves and our countries!"

Kennedy was born in 1989 and was by Tiro out of Katy (by Karata). He was bred by Karl Gaibmaier and discovered by the Danish Jorgensen as a 4-year old at the 1993 Riding Horse Auction in Marbach. Lone competed Kennedy in the 5- and 6-year old division at the Bundeschampionate in 1994 and 1995. The pair did their first Grand Prix in Heroldsberg in 1997 and as of that year immediately qualified on the Danish team. They went on to represent Denmark at four European Championships, one Olympics and one World Equestrian Games.

Robert Dover and FBW Kennedy at the 2004 Olympic Games When Kennedy moved to the U.S.A. they became an unbeatable pair. Under Dover, the small chestnut gelding was 2004 U.S. Grand Prix Champion, won team bronze at the Athens Olympics and finished sixth individually. The pair was fourth with an 80.100% kur score at the 2005 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas. In May 2005 Bateson took over the ride on Kennedy and for two years gained valuable experience and exposure on him at Grand Prix level. FBW Kennedy was officially retired to the field after 2006.

“I couldn’t have a nicer horse to ride,” Bateson said in a 2005 interview. “He’s amazing. I’ve ridden a lot of nice horses, not necessarily gotten to show them, and he’s unlike any horse I’ve ever met. He’s highly intelligent. Of all the horses I’ve known, he’s like a person ‘smart’. You can talk to him and I think he understands you – and that sound ridiculous,” she grinned, adding, “but he’s so highly intelligent and has such a personality. He knows who he is, he knows what he’s done, and he’s very happy about his life. He’s just a happy, happy horse. Willing – all that good stuff.”

FBW Kennedy was 21 years old and will be greatly missed.