The Australian Horse Magazine reported the passing of former Australian Olympic dressage horse Yardley Aphrodite. Rachael Sanna-Downs' 21-year old mare (by Falkland Victory II out of Northern Catherine) was euthanized on 2 August 2011 due to ongoing uterine infection.
Rachael and her family purchased “Abby” as a two-year-old and went on to win numerous national titles. They represented Australia at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez.
Rachael retired Abby from competition after winning the Grand Prix at Equitana in November 2003. In a moving ceremony at the 2004 Sydney CDI, Yardley Aphrodite officially retired.
Aphrodite became a broodmare and foaled one offspring, the now 6-year old Chathem Parc Albert (by Jaybee Alabaster).
"Together with my other mare, Charisma, Abby was instrumental in developing my dressage career," Sanna told The Horse Magazine.
Source: Horse Magazine
Photo © Dirk Caremans
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