For the first time owner Stella Charlott Roth has spoken publicly about the accident that abruptly ended the sport career of 2012 German Olympic team horse Diva Royal. The 13-year old Hanoverian mare (by Don Frederico x Warkant) has been officially retired from sport to become a broodmare.
The Roth family has been extremely tight lipped about the reason why the talented black mare suddenly disappeared from the show scene and why no come back was scheduled. Rumours of a career ending injury spread already back in 2013 and they are now officially confirmed.
On 18 January 2013 Diva Royal was in the equine clinic for a routine operation. When the veterinarian team removed the nose twitch from the sedated mare an accident happened.
"For more than two years we tried to get you back," Roth directed in an open letter towards her horse. "Just like we have always known you, you gave it your all and relearnt all the movements. I would have loved to have ridden you on another long road. Unfortunately you couldn't cope with a constant work load and that is why we decided to give you a new challenge."
Diva Royal has been retired from sport to the field and has become a broodmare. She is currently in foal to the KWPN stallion Dream Boy (by Vivaldi x Ferro).
Stella Charlott Roth and Diva Royal won team gold and finished fourth individually at the 2010 European Young Riders Championships in Kronberg. In 2012 Stella's coach Dorothee Schneider took over the ride and competed the mare at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where they finished 7th in the Kur to Music Finals. In November 2012 Roth won the Piaff Forderpreis Finals in Stuttgart for Under 25 riders.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Diva Royal
Stella Charlott Roth Goes Independent
Stella Charlott Roth Wins 2012 Piaff Forderpreis Finals
A Dancing Diva and Holsteiner Dressage Power at the 2012 Piaff Forderpreis Final
Diva Royal Wins 2012 Otto Lorke Prize
Diva Royal Wins 2011 Tesch Inkasso Cup for Upcoming Grand Prix Horses