Former German 2004 Olympic team horse Wansuela Suerta has passed away in Wellington, Florida, where she was spending her retirement at Finally Farm. The Hanoverian mare was 22 years old.
Wansuela Suerte injured herself in the paddock a while ago and was being treated. Unfortunately she developed an inflammation of the joints on top and could not be saved. The mare was euthanized on Monday 26 January 2015.
Wansuela Suerte was bred by Conrad Hogrefe and initially owned by Martina Teichert. Teichert purchased her as a 5-year old at the 1997 Verden Spring Elite Auction when she was called "Wie Noch Nie".
Under Hubertus Schmidt the chestnut mare (by Warkant x Wachmann x Cavalier) was an Olympic, European and World Championship team gold medal winner. The pair also won the individual silver medal at the 2005 European Dressage Championships in Hagen, Germany.
Wansuela Suerte's international competition career came to an end in August 2008. Schmidt rode her last at the 2008 CDI Verden and announced the mare would be retired from competition. She was immediately sold to American Joanne Stoudenmier who would ride her as a schoolmaster for fun.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Wansuela Suerte
Wansuele Suerte Retired and Sold to the U.S.A.
What's Happening: November 2006 - Part 1
Hubertus Schmidt Wins German Head to Head at CDI-W Maastricht
German Mares Show The Way in 2004 CDI-W Neumunster
German Victor Emerges From Top Class Field At 2003 CDI-W Berlin