Carl Hester’s former grand prix horse Donnersong has been put to sleep at the age of 22. Carl and Kate Carter, Donnersong’s owner and breeder, have had to say a fond farewell to the charismatic stallion who had been suffering from laminitis.
Donnersong, known as ‘Otto’ to his friends, was the first horse Carl trained to grand prix. The pair’s illustrious partnership was formed when Carl moved to Kate and Stuart Carter’s yard in Stow-on-Wold where Carl ran his own training business at the time. Otto, by Donnerhall out of a Pik Trumpf mare, was a vivacious three-year-old - “quite a terror as a young horse!” says Carl affectionately.
Four years later, Carl and Otto took the advanced medium title at the national dressage championships in the horse’s first year of competition, attracting a large fan base in the process. His obvious talent, personality and legendary antics during laps-of-honour, will stick in the minds of admirers for a very long time.
In 2000, Carl and Otto dominated the small tour classes at the Spanish Sunshine Tour, and throughout that year won a total of 12 international classes. The next year they posted their first national grand prix victory. Following a successful international grand prix career, which included wins at Hickstead CDI, Donnersong was retired from competition in 2006 to focus on his stud career.
“Donnersong was one of the most prolific small tour horses ever and was very special to me,” says Carl. “He was also a real character and gave us more heart-attacks than any other horse!”
“One year, we had taken him to Munich to compete. When we got there we took him into a small, secure paddock for a hand graze. He still managed to get away, jump the fence and decided to career around the park at full speed. There were children and grannies everywhere – it was terrifying!” recollects Carl. “He then shot out of the park and proceeded into the nearby shopping precinct where, to our relief, he was caught by two builders!”
Donnersong had enjoyed a wonderful retirement with Kate and Stuart Carter at their Hooze Farm home in Tewkesbury, where he was regularly ridden by Kate. “He didn’t enjoy going in the field much,” says Carl. “He just loved his stable, right next to Kate’s house.”
“He was such a boost for Kate’s breeding programme and comes from a very special family. He and his full sisters, Donner Dancer and Donner Rhapsody were all international grand prix horses, and he leaves a great legacy - he has got some very nice children including event horses too.”
Text by British Dressage
Related Links
Donnersong Passed Away
scores: 2002 British Dressage Championships
Scores: 2003 British Dressage Championships
Scores: 2000 CDI Sunshine Tour
Scores: 1998 CDI Hickstead