Isobell Wessels' Chagall Passed Away

Dressage

Great Britain

British 5* dressage judge Isobel Wessels lost her international Grand Prix horse Chagall on 12 March 2021. He was 18 years old.

Chagall was a 2003 born Hanoverian gelding by Contendro out of Galatea (by Graf Grannus). He was bred by Hans Twietmeyer in Germany.

As a youngster, Chagall sold to the U.K. in 2007 and was purchased by Isobel Wessels in partnership with B. Powell.

"Justin [Wessels, Isobel's husband] found him in Germany and even at four he was a little like a giraffe," said Isobel. "We bought him together with the late Brigit Powell and from the first moment in the saddle I knew he was the one. His breeder told us how super sensitive he was and doubted that he would find the right rider, but Chagall and I were destined to become the best of friends."

He was first competed by Cassandra Prince as a 5-year old in 2008. A year later Lucy Cartwright took over the ride, before Isobel began campaigning him in 2010. The pair was highly successful at small tour level and became national small tour champions at the 2012 Indoor and Outdoor Championships

In 2014 they did their first national Intermediaire II and in 2015 they moved to Grand Prix level. Coached by Carl Hester, Wessels competed Chagall through 2020. The pair collected ten national titles across the levels.

The pair competed internationally one season, in 2016, with CDI starts in Hartpury, Saumur, Biarritz and Le Mans, posting a personal best of 67.420% in the Biarritz Grand Prix. Wessels combined her duties as a dressage judge with her own riding.

The pair's last start was at Burrows Court in December 2020, where they scored 72.3%

Sad Goodbye

Chagall was put down after suffering acute laminitis. He battled it for four weeks but his condition deteriorated and it was decided in the horse’s best interest to end his suffering.

"I shall never forget you or the joy you gave me," Wessels took to Facebook about the untimely death of Chagall. "Everyday you gave your best not just in the arena but in every aspect of stable life. So many adored you and felt how special you were. You touched so many lives but it is Justin (Isobel's husband) and I who will miss you the most."

To British Dressage, Wessels said, "he was always wary of other horses so warming up was never easy but as soon as he was in the arena he shone. He was so beautiful to ride, soft and elastic and always lovely in the hand. Even when he was nervous he never failed to give and I think this is what came through to his many fans. We have received hundreds and hundreds of messages of condolence. In nearly all of these friends talk about how special he was, his elegance, his easy supple way and how he inspired them. This is his real legacy. He inspired me every day and what a joy to think he did the same for so many others too."

Yesterday, Wessels added, that "we scattered his ashes and he is flying free. We would like to thank our vets Rob and Ciaran but most of all the amazing Libby Towers. The extra special care and limitless commitment to Chagall’s welfare was phenomenal."