Minna Telde's Don Charly Passed Away

Dressage

Swedish Dressage News

Minna Telde's Grand Prix horse Don Charly passed away on Thursday 25 May 2017. The gorgeous 20-year old Hanoverian stallion had his highlight year in 209 but his show career was often marred by injury.

"Thank you Don Charly. Thank you for all you taught me," said Telde. "Thank you for all fantastic memories and places we where together. Today a giant in my life went on to the other side. Wish you all the love. I'm so grateful for all years we were together."

Don Charly was a 1997 born Hanoverian stallion, bred by Ewald Grotelüschen in Germany and sired by Don Gregory out of Indiana (by Inschallah AA x Efendi x Markant). His name was originally registered as Don Charlys.

Owned by Swedish horse dealers Birgitta Kjellin and Johan Ifverson, Telde got the ride on Don Charly when the horse was five. The pair represented Sweden at the 2003 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, where they finished 8th in the 6-year old Finals. After a successful career at small tour level, the duo made its international debut at Grand Prix level in 2008.

To secure the ride on Don Charly for the future, Telde had to buy the horse for herself in 2009. That year would be their career highlight. They represented Sweden at the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, where they were 9th in the Grand Prix but had to withdraw from the freestyle due to a minor injury.

Minna and Don Charly at their last show together, the 2013 CDI Vidauban Fortunately Don Charly recovered quickly and was on the Swedish team for the 2009 European Championships in Windsor, Great Britain, finishing 12th in the Kur to Music Finals.

In the spring of 2010 Don Charly injured himself on the road to the CDI Hagen and it took the horse no less than three years to come back to full fitness. They made their return to the show ring at the CDI Bremen in March 2013, quickly followed by the CDI Doha. Two months later he won the Grand Prix Special and Kur to Music at the 2013 CDI Vidauban in France. It was their last show together.

The 42-year old Telde has not shown any of her horses in 2017. Her 2012 Olympic Games' ride Santana did his last show in 2015 and has been out due to injury. However in 2016 Telde showed her three other rising stars Isac, Barland IM and Vestbys Lawrence.