Johanna von Fircks' career making Grand Prix dressage horse Royal Flash has passed away at age 29. The Oldenburg gelding was peacefully euthanized on 1 January 2017 as he was suffering from old age.
Bred by Manfred Kötter, Royal Flash was by Ramino out of a dam by Damhirsch.
In his career the 185 cm standing Royal Flash has been competed by a large string of riders, before he found his match and permanent home with the Von Fircks' family. He was one of Germany's most competed horses.
He was first competed as a 3-year old by Ruth Wördermann and Heiner Berkemeyer. In 1992 Anja Buckhus-Theile took over, followed by Simone Schulze who bought the horse in 1993. Jochen Vetters climbed aboard in 1994 for several shows, sharing the ride with Marit Habicher while Simone Schulze was the predominant rider who took the horse to Grand Prix level.
In 2002 Schulze moved to Mallorca and sold Royal Flash as a schoolmaster for the 20-year old Johanna von Fircks, who was then training with Christoph von Daene. She did her first show with him at a local event in Salzgitter at M-level. The pair quickly moved up to small tour level and they finished 8th at the 2002 German Young Riders Championships in Kreuth. In 2003 they made the transition to Grand Prix level at the CDN Bad Salzuflen and they competed at several internationals, including the 2003 CDI Fitzens, Norten-Hardenberg, and Marienbad. In 2005 they competed at the CDI Hickstead and became the reserve champions in the Piaff Forderpreis Finals in Stuttgart. They contested the Piaff Forderpreis finals three times in total with 2005 being their career highlight. They continued their show career at the 2006 CDI Munich, Achleiten, Fritzens, the 2007 CDI Hagen, CDI-U25 Herentals, and their final show, the 2008 CDI Munich in their home town.
Royal Flash had an incredibly long show career and achieved 60,000 euro in prize money. The horse was officially retired from competition sport at a special ceremony held at the 2008 Oldenburg Elite Auction. He spent a further 11 years in a blessed retirement in the field.
"He sport career lasted until he reached the proud age of 19," said Royal Flash's owner Helmut von Fircks. "He really stood with his tall size and he was the only international Grand Prix horse that always competed with cut mane."
Related Links
Scores: 2008 CDI Munich
Scores: 2007 CDI-PJYR Herentals
Scores: 2005 CDIO Hickstead
Scores: 2005 CDI Stuttgart
Scores: 2002 German Youth Riders Championships