The Hanoverian breeding stallion Don Gregory has passed away at age 27. The retired grand old gentlemen suffered from a colick attack and could not be saved.
After his daily turnout in the paddock, Don Gregory colicked and was transported to the equine clinic. The stallion had to be operated on but due to his old age it was decided not to put the horse through that. He was euthanized.
Don Gregory was bred by Albert Siemer and discovered by Paula Vorwerk as a youngster. The majority of his life he was owned by Gudula Vorwerk-Happ though he spent his last years at the Dressage Performance Centre Lodbergen, where Gestut Vorwerk sold to Sissy Max-Theurer.
Don Gregory was by Donnerhall out of Granate (by Graphit x Anteil/T). He did his stallion performance test in Adelheidsdorf in 1991, where he scored 108.52 points and finished 25th.
The liver chestnut stallion began his competition career as a 3-year old ridden by Detlef Nesemann. In 1993 Martina Hannover-Sternberg took over the ride and competed him at the Bundeschampionate as a 5-year old, where he finished sixth. In 1995 the stallion made his small tour debut and the same year he also competed at Grand Prix level, with their debut in Ankum in October 1995. Lisa Wilcox competed Don Gregory from March 1999 till the horse's last show ever in May 2000 in Haftenkamp, Germany.
Don Gregory was a highly appreciated dressage breeding stallion. He sired 10 licensed sons, including the Oldenburg licensing champion and world young horse champion Don Davidoff (sire of Tinne Vilhelmson's Don Auriello). More than 550 of his offspring are registered for sport. He produced Grand Prix horses Don Charly (Minna Telde) and Day Dream (Katrin Burger) , Don Dior (Frank Freund), and junior rider team horse Der Daimler (Jonas Schmitz-Heinen) Don Gregory sired over 30 state premium mares, including the 2002 Oldenburg mare champion Ferdonia. Elfengirl (by Don Gregory x Rohdiamant) sold for 280,000 euro at the PSI Auction.
"Don Gregory was fit until the end and he has such a special personality," said Lodbergen manager Urs Schweizer. "He loved the attention and care which he got from our team. Also he allowed himself to be admired by our guests and grew 10 centimeters each time. We are very sad for this loss."
Photo © Tanja Becker
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