Rachael Downs' former Grand Prix horse Yardley Charisma passed away on 16 December 2013. The Australian bred mare was by Northern Congress out of Northern Amblett (by Arnhem x Flaneur x Crusador Cross) and was 26 years old.
Yardley Charisma was instrumental in Rachael's dresage career. The mare introduced her to international Grand Prix competition when Rachael was in her early 20s. The duo became the Australian Dressage Champions in 1997 and 1998 and travelled to Europe in 1999, where they competed at the 1999 World Cup Finals in Dortmund, the CDIO Aachen and CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch.
"Cassie was an amazing part of my family and of Australian Dressage," said Downs.
After her Grand Prix career Charisma became a broodmare. One of her offspring is the 4-year old Cederic, a grey gelding by Quite Capitol. In 2004 Charisma produced Chatham Park Allie (by Jaybee Alabaster), who is now a broodmare at Heath Ryan's yard.
"Even today she was looking after her grand-daughter," said Downs. "I’s pretty amazing to look out into the paddocks and see her two sons and two of her grand children. What an amazing mare. She will be sadly missed by us all."
Photo © Dirk Caremans
Related Links
Yardley Aphrodite Passed Away
Rachael Sanna, Record Holder of the CDI Sydney
World Cup Dressage Finals in Dortmund, Success for Anky, Dirk and junior-riders.com
Scores: 1999 World Cup Finals
Scores: 1999 CDIO Aachen
Scores: 1999 CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch