Alexandra, Countess of Dohna-Schlobitten, Passed Away

Breeding

Trakehner

The renowned Trakehner horse breeder Alexandra, Countess of Dohna-Schlobitten, has passed away on 24 April 2020. She was 85 years old.

The Countess of Dohna was known as a special personality, friend and photographer, who has been closely connected to the Trakehner horse her entire life. With her passing, one of the very last noble heirs with East-Prussian roots has disappeared.

Alexandra, Countess of Dohna-Schlobitten, was born on 8 August 1934 in Wundlacken as the daughter of Alexander, Prince of Dohna-Schlobitten and Antoinette of Dohna. The family counted five children and she grew up in the renowned East-Prussian castle Schlobitten.

The family owned two castles, Schlobitten and Prökelwitz, which until 1945 with the hotspots of the the breeding of the East Prussian noble horse breeding. In Schlobitten the oldest studbook was founded back in 1632.

Turbulent World War II Time

Alexandra got the horse virus at birth and spent a carefree childhood with horses and animels, until the winter of 1944 when she had to e evacuate with her mom and brothers and sisters to Muskau in Saxony.

Her father, Alexander Prince of Dohna-Schlobitten was drafted into the Wehrmacht at the start of World War II and served as a Rittmeister throughout the German invasion of Poland and later the Soviet Union.He fought for Germany in Stalingrad and Italy. When Dohna refused to executive U.S prisoners of wars he was dismissed from the Wehrmacht for insubordination. Her father returned home to Schlobitten and in January 1945 he organized the largest refugee route from East Prussia, which arrived in Thedinghausen near Bremen after 1,500 kilometers. With 330 refugees, 140 horses and 38 horse carts Count Alexander arrived at Hoya on 20 March 1945.

The caravan brought Trakehner horses with them, including 31 broodmares, ensuring the survival of that breed.

In 1948 the family moved to Basle, Switzerland. In her professional career Alexandra worked for a well-known Hamburg publishing house and became as a top photographer of the international jet-set, moving in the party circles of Munich and Nice. In her later years, she opted for horse photography and was long considered one of the best in her field.

Dohna's K-Line

She dedicated her entire life to her small, highly successful Trakehner brood farm, which continued the great family tradition on a modest scale.

Margaret McGregor and Alexandra Dohna when
Kosima was named Trakehner Mare of the Year 2016

The mare Koralie (by Auftakt) came out of the famous Dohna’s K dam line. She was a gift from her father and in Alexandra's hands the line became one one of the most important branches in terms of Trakehner sport and breeding.

Her two most successful brood mares were the Elite Mare Kornubia and her daughter, the State Premium Mare Kontessina (by Arogno). The Verband Premium mare Kastanie (by Arogno) produced auction riding horses, internationally successful athletes, the licensed Karl Lagerfeld and the Trakehner Mare of the Year, Karissima.

Alexandra also bred the licensed stallions Kondor, Korsakow, Korado and the licensing champion Kissinger. Descending from her lines are also the famous Takehners Kasimir, Konradi and Karakallis.

In the last years of her life, Alexandra, Countess of Dohna-Schlobitten, and Margaret MacGregor (USA) shared another breeding success: their filly Kosima was named 2016 Trakehner Mare of the Year.

A Treasure for Trakehner Breeding

In 2011, Alexandra, Countess of Dohna-Schlobitten, received the Golden Badge of Honor from the Trakehner Association.

"Style and humor, as well as meticulous work behind the camera, characterized the personality of the Grande Dame, who always looked ahead in her life and will remain unforgettable to her countless friends among the Trakehn breeders," the Trakehner society reacted upon her sad passing.

Alexandra, Countess of Dohna-Schlobitten, is laid to rest in the family crypt in Lich.