Belgian Young Riders team member Jorinde Verwimp has lost her retired FEI Dressage Pony Tonkawa SD to colic yesterday 29 April 2014. He was 22 years old.
Tonkawa showed signs of colic and was transported to the equine clinic to be operated it but the damage was irreperable and the pony was euthanized.
"I just heard the worst news in my life. My Tonki passed away from colic," said a bereaved Jorinde who was on her way to the CDIO Saumur when she heard the news. "He was still perfectly normal before we left for Saumur. I'm here now and all those amazing memory's just break my heart. I'm riding for him this week, i'm sure that he is watching me from up there. I will never forget him. He was the best I've ever had."
Tonkawa SW was a 1992 born Holsteiner branded German Riding Pony stallion. He was bred by Stephanie Dose and was sired by Tashunko out of Nanni (by Nijim ox x Kirstallo x Mandarin).
The grey stallion started his career as a dressage pony in Germany. under Susanne Mohr in 1995. As of 1996 he was ridden by Eva Schneider and Kai Moormann at A-level in dressage, showjumping, and even eventing. This rider's duo continued to compete Tonkawa till 1999 at L-level
In 2000 the pony sold to German aspiring FEI rider Patricia Hohn, who campaigned the stallion at A and L-level from 2000 till 2002. Tonkawa sold to Finnish Sonia Hungerbuhler, who ended up competing him at the 2005 European Pony Championships before he made his move to Jorinde Verwimp's stable in Belgium.
Verwimp and Tonkawa started their international show career together in 2006 and they were members of the Belgian pony team at the 2007, 2008 and 2009 European Pony Championships. The pair also won silver at the 2007 and 2008 Belgian Pony Championships.
Up until July 2009 Verwimp competed Tonkawa internationally. Their last show together was the European Championships in Moorsele, Belgium. That same summer he became a schoolmaster for Leyla Larsson, who earned bronze at the 2009 Belgian Pony Championships with him. Larsson competed the grey stallion throughout 2010. In 2011 he appeared in the show ring with Jil Verbeek.
Though Tonkawa was retired from competition, the playful pony was still very fit and ridden regularly.
Photos © Astrid Appels
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