Belgian Olympian Claudia Fassaert has retired her number one Grand Prix horse Donnerfee from competition sport. The 15-year old Oldenburg mare has retired to her breeder and will begin a new life as brood mare.
Fassaert and Donnerfee were a fixture for Belgium on the international dressage scene. The combination made its international GP show debut at the CDI Saumur in April 2010 and competed much their first year with starts in Rotterdam, Pompadour, Aachen, Hickstead and the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, followed by Lyon, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Mechelen.
With consistent scores in the upper sixties and round seventy percent, the pair became Belgium's number one duo in 2011 - 2012 and were sent as sole Belgian representatives to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. They finished 27th in the Grand Prix Special.
The duo maintained a steady pace appearing at international shows in 2013 and 2014. They represented Belgium at the 2013 World Cup Final in Amsterdam, the 2013 European Championships in Herning and 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France.
In 2015 the horse struggled with injuries and when they shows their scores slightly dropped as new Belgian pairs had arisen on the scene and provided more competition for the up till then, small group of Belgian Grand Prix riders. Right before team selection for the 2015 European Championships, Fassaert voices accusations that her mare was piosoned at the final selection trial, the Belgian Dressage Championship. The case was treated by the Belgian Equestrian Federation but the blood work did not show poisoning according to the KBRSF. Fassaert was not selected on the team and also did not pursue the matter. On 13 December Fassaert announced the horse's retirement.
"Today I brought Feetje back home. The past twelve years were very beautiful for all of us. Now she can enjoy the field and take care of foals. We're all looking forward to it. Thank you Dirk and Murielle. Thanks Donnerfee. You are my favourite diva," said Fassaert.
Donnerfee is by De Niro out of Rosenfee (by Rosenkavalier). She is bred and owned by Dirk Hooghe and Murielle Verhoeven. Fassaert is continuing her international career with the small tour horse Alensias, a 10-year old Dutch warmblood by Iglesias x Jeraldo.
Photos © Astrid Appels
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